Leafs' Clarkson draws 2-game suspension for illegal hit
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New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Clarkson received a two-game suspension from the National Hockey League for delivering an illegal check in Thursday's game against the St. Louis Blues.
The incident occurred during the second period of Toronto's 6-3 loss to the Blues, with Clarkson assessed a minor penalty for striking St. Louis forward Vladimir Sobotka in the head.
This is the second time that Clarkson, who signed a lucrative seven-year contract with Toronto as an unrestricted free agent this summer, has been suspended this season. The former New Jersey Devil was forced to sit out the campaign's first 10 games for leaving the bench to instigate an on-ice brawl between the Leafs and Buffalo Sabres in a preseason matchup.
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Clarkson has struggled during his debut season in Toronto, having recorded only two goals and four assists with a minus-four rating over 23 games.
The 29-year-old will miss Saturday's contest against Chicago as well as a road date at Pittsburgh on Monday. Clarkson will be eligible to return when the Maple Leafs host Florida on Tuesday.