Gary Bettman reduces Jason Spezza’s suspension!

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has upheld Maple Leafs’ Jason Spezza’s suspension, though he has reduced it to from six games to four.

He is now eligible to return for Toronto’s next game against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

In the explanation offered by the commissioner, part of the reduction comes from the fact Winnipeg Jets' Neal Pionk only missed three games from the injury.

Bettman said in his ruling that Spezza “committed a serious and reckless infraction of Rule 50 that resulted in an injury to Mr. Pionk (albeit an injury that turned out to be less serious than it might have been).

Another strong argument that convince Bettmant to reduce Spezza's suspension was his clean history as far as supplemental discipline over 1,300 career games: 

“My decision to reduce the length of the suspension is based primarily on an undisputed fact — Mr. Spezza’s admirable record of clean play over a nineteen (19) season, 1,300 game career,” Bettman said.

As you know, the incident happened in the third period when Pionk was reaching to clear the puck with his hand. Spezza’s knee made contact with Pionk’s head on the hit. The blue liner is now in concussion protocol, though he was suspended as well. Pionk did serve a two-game suspension after kneeing Leafs defenseman Rasmus Sandin earlier in the same game. He ended missing three contests as mentioned in the report.