Avalanche Rookie Matt Stienburg Hit With Suspension For Massive Hit

Colorado Avalanche rookie forward Matt Stienburg has been levied a two-game suspension by the NHL's Player Safety department, after destroying the Tampa Bay Lightning's Erik Cernak into the boards.

Colorado’s Matt Stienburg has been suspended for two games for charging Tampa Bay’s Erik Cernak. https://t.co/Fhj4yFtyIb
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 31, 2024

The incident came in a game Wednesday night, when Stienburg left his feet to deliver the full force of this crushing hit on Cernak, while making contact with his head.

Matt Stienburg received a 5 minute major and a game misconduct for this hit on Erik Cernak 🤕 pic.twitter.com/QgkVWS7RsX
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) October 31, 2024

The rookie was handed a 5 minute major for charging and a game misconduct for the hit, but now will have to sit out two additional games.

"This is not a case of a player elevating slightly as part of a natural motion," said the Player Safety in its ruling. "If Stienburg wants to deliver this hit legally, he must stay low and hit through Cernak's core, rather than launching himself upward and elevating into the check."

The 6'1, 182-pounder, Stienburg has already levied 16 hits in his eight games this season, and collected 22 penalty minutes, while playing just six minutes a night.

Soon after the suspension, the Avalanche announced they had reassigned Stienburg to their AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles.