Cody McLeod suspension: 5 games for boarding Niklas Kronwall

The NHL has suspended Colorado Avalanche forward Cody McLeod five games for his hit from behind on Niklas Kronwall.

By Adam Gretz Oct 21, 2013, 7:02pm EDT

The NHL announced on Monday evening that Colorado Avalanche forward Cody McLeod has been suspended five games for a boarding incident involving Detroit's Niklas Kronwall in a game last week.

Kronwall had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher following the hit, and McLeod was ejected and given a five-minute major penalty. Monday he had an in-person hearing with the league, which gave the league the opportunity to suspend him for more than five games. The suspension is the same one St. Louis Blues forward Maxim Lapierre received for his hit on San Jose's Dan Boyle.

As a result of the suspension, McLeod will have to forfeit $29,487.20 in salary.

Here is Brendan Shanhan explaining the play, as well as the punishment.

McLeod has appeared in seven games for the Avalanche this season, playing just a little more than seven minutes per night, and has recorded just one assist.