Maple Leafs' Rielly to appeal 5-game suspension to NHL commissioner Bettman

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly will appeal his five-game suspension from the NHL for a cross-check to the head of Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig, the team announced Wednesday.

Commissioner Gary Bettman will handle the appeal because Rielly's ban was five games or fewer. Bettman has upheld all three appeals thus far this season.

The incident occurred Saturday with six seconds remaining in Ottawa's 5-3 win over Toronto. After Greig scored an empty-net goal with a slapshot, Rielly took offence, following Greig and sending him into the boards. Rielly was assessed a major penalty for cross-checking and a game misconduct.

The CBA says Gary Bettman will "endeavor" to hear suspension appeals on an "expedited basis." He determines if <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLPlayerSafety?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHLPlayerSafety</a> decision is supported by "clear and convincing evidence."<br><br>If he keeps Morgan Rielly's suspension at five games or less, Bettman's ruling is final.

Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe said post-game that his player's actions were "appropriate." The league disagreed.

"This play occurs well after the goal has been scored, late in the game with the score out of reach and for the sole purpose of retribution," a department of player safety official said in an explanation video.

"… Rielly pursues Greig for some time and has sufficient opportunity to choose to engage him in a different manner, or ensure that this cross-check is delivered solely to the body. Instead, fully in control of this play at all times, Rielly chooses to raise his stick to the level of Greig's head and neck, approaching from the side and delivering a forceful strike to the face with his stick well after the goal has been