Leafs Prospect Roni Hirvonen Suspended After Dangerous Cross-Check in Finland
Photo credit: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff
Leafs prospect Roni Hirvonen was given a suspension after cross-checking an opponent during a goal in his native Finland.
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect forward Roni Hirvonen has been issued a two-game suspension in Finland's top men's pro league, Liiga, for an incident in the Finnish league.
Playing for Karpat, Hirvonen was given a five-minute major plus a misconduct for cross-checking Mikko Perttu of JYP, being ejected from the game and now given his official sentencing of two games for the incident.
After a goal for Karpat, Hirvonen got into a direct altercation with Perttu, leading to Hirvonen giving his opponent a direct stick to the face, which led to his ejection from the game.
In a statement from the League deciding on the two game suspension, Liiga notes the traditional punishment for an illegal cross-check to come with a suspension of up to three games, while noting the play came as the goal had already occurred
The delegation considers that Hirvonen has recklessly endangered the opponent by hitting the opponent with a cross stick in the face, and taking the act into account, a suspension should be imposed. Cross stick strikes to the opponent's head have been subject to 1-3-match suspensions in the League's disciplinary system.
Regarding the length of the suspension, the delegation has taken into account the above-mentioned facts and the situation as a whole in its assessment of the penalty, as well as the suspensions given for similar acts in the current and previous seasons. Considering that the cross stick strike clearly occurs after the puck is in the goal, the disciplinary delegation considers Hirvonen's act to be worthy of a two-match suspension.
Regarding the length of the suspension, the delegation has taken into account the above-mentioned facts and the situation as a whole in its assessment of the penalty, as well as the suspensions given for similar acts in the current and previous seasons. Considering that the cross stick strike clearly occurs after the puck is in the goal, the disciplinary delegation considers Hirvonen's act to be worthy of a two-match suspension.
Hirvonen's Aggressive Play Draws Scrutiny Overseas
The incident by Hirvonen has been a move that shows that he will need to temper his emotions and relax his game to avoid unnecessary hot-headed mistakes such as that one.
For Hirvonen, who is fighting for a potential last chance to make a name for himself in the Leafs organization, sloppy moments such as that one are not going to be able to be tolerated, but won't make or break his chances this early on.
Hirvonen has found his footing since returning to his native Finland after two seasons in the American Hockey League, having 12 points in 11 games for Karpat who sit 10th in Liiga with a 5-5-1 record, Hirvonen the team's leader in points.
To force a return to North America, Hirvonen will need to show not just his talent, but his discipline.
Hirvonen isn't the only Leaf trying to restart his career overseas, with fellow Finn and Marlie Topi Niemela playing in Sweden's top flight, SHL, with Malmö. Niemela, drafted five spots after Hirvonen in 2020, has seven points in eight games for the club.
For a player like Roni Hirvonen looking to prove he can make himself an NHL talent, he'll need to make less youthful mistakes to solidify himself as pro capable, or he may risk being shut out by Toronto permanently.
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