Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly will have an in-person hearing Tuesday afternoon with the NHL's Department of Player Safety for his cross-checking penalty at the end of Saturday's game with the Ottawa Senators.
The in-person option affords the league the possibility of suspending Rielly for six games or more, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. It will be held at the NHL's New York office.
The incident occurred in the final moments of the Senators' 5-3 win when forward Ridly Greig paused to take a slap shot into the Maple Leafs' empty net.
Rielly took exception to the play, cross-checked Greig in the head, and received a five-minute major and game misconduct.
Just 5.1 seconds were remaining in the game at that point. After a scrum between the two sides was calmed down, referees reviewed the play and confirmed Rielly's night was done.
If the Department of Player Safety determines that any supplemental discipline from an infraction will result in five games or less or a fine of more than US$5,000, the hearing is conducted by phone.
If the infraction might require a suspension of six games or more, the offending player is offered the opportunity to an in-person hearing. In this case, the player remains suspended until the hearing takes place. If the player waives his right to an in-person hearing, the hearing will be conducted by phone.
The department does, however, retain the right to make adjustments to the infraction upon review.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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