Colorado Avalanche rookie Matt Stienburg has been suspended for two games following a charging incident involving defenseman Erik Cernak during a recent game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The NHL Department of Player Safety deemed Stienburg’s hit on Cernak as unnecessary and dangerous, resulting in the suspension.
Stienburg, who is 24 years old, received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for leaving his feet and launching into Cernak along the boards. The hit caused Cernak to leave the game and not return. A player safety official stated that Stienburg’s actions constituted a check that made significant contact with Cernak’s head, leading to the supplemental discipline.
Despite being a third-round pick in 2019, Stienburg is still a rookie in the NHL and made his debut earlier this month. In his eight games played so far, he has yet to score any points but has recorded 16 hits and 22 penalty minutes. However, he will now be unavailable for the Avalanche’s upcoming games against the Nashville Predators and the Seattle Kraken.
Prior to joining the Avalanche, Stienburg played three seasons at Cornell University before moving on to the Colorado Eagles in the AHL. During his time with the Eagles last season, he contributed 13 points, including five goals and eight assists, as well as 63 penalty minutes in 54 games.
This suspension serves as a reminder of the NHL’s commitment to player safety and the consequences of dangerous play on the ice. Stienburg will have to sit out for two games as a result of his actions, and it will be crucial for him to learn from this experience and avoid similar incidents in the future to continue his development as a professional hockey player.