NHL suspends Mikhail Sergachev for dangerous check on Mitch Marner

The National Hockey League and its Player Safety have announced that Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev has been suspended two games for an Illegal Check to the Head on Toronto’s Mitchell Marner.

During the first period of last night’s game, Sergachev laid an absolutely brutal head shot on Marner, costing the Maple Leafs’ forward a clear cut breakaway and earning Sergachev a penalty for targeting the head.

The Russian blue liner is not considered a repeat offender, he who only dealt with a fine in the past, having to pay close to $2,500 for cross-checking Buffalo Sabres’ Johan Larsson back in 2018. This suspension kicks off his record.

According to Marner, Sergachev apologized to him for the brutal hit, but the NHL wanted more from the defenseman.

Two games it is.