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NHL suspends Leafs' Jason Spezza 6 games for hit on Neal Pionk

The NHL's Department of Player Safety has handed Maple Leafs forward Jason Spezza a six-game suspension for his hit on Jets defenceman Neal Pionk .

The hit occurred during the third period of Winnipeg's 6-3 victory over Toronto on Sunday Night, and was a retaliatory response from Spezza after Pionk laid a knee-on-knee hit to Maple Leafs' blueliner Rasmus Sandin.

Pionk was suspended two games for his actions, and was also placed into the NHL's concussion protocols as a result of Spezza's hit.

This marks the first time Spezza has been suspended in his 19-year, 1,203-game career.