Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mikhail Grabovski will not face any supplemental discipline for allegedly biting Montreal Canadiens’ Max Pacioretty.
In the third period of the Leafs’ 6-0 win over the Canadiens in Montreal on Saturday, Pacioretty accused Grabovski of biting him in a scrum during which Pacioretty wrapped his arm around Grabovski’s face.
Grabovski, who began his NHL career with the Canadiens, received two minutes for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct and Pacioretty was also issued a 10-minute misconduct on the play.
The 29-year-old Belarusian had a disciplinary hearing with the NHL on Monday morning where the league deemed there to be no conclusive evidence that a bite took place.
“After interviewing both players involved in the incident and reviewing all of the available video and medical reports, the League could not determine conclusively that Grabovski bit Montreal forward Max Pacioretty,” the NHL said in a statement.
“The Department of Player Safety has concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to support imposing Supplemental Discipline.”
Following the game, the Canadiens did not approve of Grabovski’s actions. Pacioretty even said Monday that he got a tetanus shot after the incident.
“That doesn’t belong in our sport,” Habs defenceman Josh Gorges told reporters following the game. “If you get in there, stand up for yourself, be a man, drop your gloves, and you’ll have respect. But bite somebody? That doesn’t belong in our league.”
Grabovski does not have an extensive history of being disciplined by the NHL, however he was suspended three games in 2009 for shoving an official. That incident also occurred in a heated affair against the Canadiens at the Bell Centre.
In 12 games this season Grabovski has three goals, two assists, an even plus/minus rating and 20 penalty minutes.
The Maple Leafs host the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday and Grabovski will be in the lineup.
