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Winnipeg defenceman Pionk suspended two games for knee-on-knee hit

Toronto Maple Leafs' Wayne Simmonds (24) is held back by officials as he tries to get to Winnipeg Jets' Logan Stanley (64) during the third period of NHL action in Winnipeg on Sunday December 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade Toronto Maple Leafs' Wayne Simmonds (24) is held back by officials as he tries to get to Winnipeg Jets' Logan Stanley (64) during the third period of NHL action in Winnipeg on Sunday December 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade
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NEW YORK -

Winnipeg defenceman Neal Pionk was suspended two games on Monday for a knee-on-knee hit delivered to Toronto blueliner Rasmus Sandin in the third period of the Jets' 6-3 Jets' over the Leafs on Sunday.

Also Monday, Maple Leafs forward Wayne Simmonds was slapped with a fine for a cross-check he applied to Winnipeg Jets forward Jansen Harkins during the same game.

The NHL's department of player safety docked Simmonds $2,250, the maximum allowable under the league's collective bargaining agreement, for laying his stick into the back of Harkins during the third period of the Toronto road loss.

Meanwhile, Leafs centre Jason Spezza has been offered an in-person hearing with the league and will likely be suspended for kneeing Pionk in the head.

In-person hearings are required for any suspension that could be at least six games. The date and time of Spezza's hearing have not been announced.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2021.

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