In game one of the NHL playoff series between the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay Lightning, it was Deja Vu all over again for Maple Leafs Fans. Michael Bunting hit Erik Cernak high in the head with a dirty elbow at a time in the game that the Maple Leafs could not afford to take that kind of selfish penalty. He got a 5 minute major and a match penalty getting ejected from the game. Bunting is an emotional player that plays on the edge and brings a lot to any team. But like Nazim Kadri did in the past, he may have hurt the team big time. Kadri got suspended in the first round of the playoffs back to back in 2018 and 2019. Both times, the Maple Leafs lost the series to the Boston Bruins as Kadri left the team a man down. Bunting’s fate is still to be set, but will he once again leave the Leafs a man down the same way Kadri did? If so, should Bunting face the same consequence Kadri did and get traded away from the Maple Leafs? I cover it in todays NHL hockey video!
@Tampa Bay Lightning
28 Comments
UPDATE Bunting has received a 3 game suspension. Seems pretty harsh to me considering its the playoffs.. what are your thoughts?
1:24 should've played the clip
Bunting is gonna be the scapegoat
Its Černák (pronounced Cher-nahk) just like Chara is pronounced h-karka…well as close it can be spelled for pronunciation in English.
God I get tired of leafs whining all the time. The guy never even touched the puck.
He has the self control of a two year old in a melt down. 👋 👋 👋 See ya
2 or 3 games pretty much what he deserves…it was not a "hockey play"…the puck was not in play anywhere near the hit…he left his feet, well at least one foot, he made a clear upward movement with his elbow and shoulder targeting Černák's head…pretty cut and dry for me. Back in the Scott Stevens ,days probably nothing but not anymore.
what a dummy,fits right in with the leafs
If the leafs don't make it EFC bunting will probably not be returning as a leaf.
Bunting will lift the cup with the caps in 2025.
He was fighting for position. 3 game suspension is bullshit. We need more guys like bunting and kadri. Instead of our cuck superstars that vanished yet again
So what does Martin 17 Islanders get?
Every leaf fan got Media notice that Bunting was on the radar of Refs, unfairly being targeted / treated etc. weeks ago
He did what he did, what did JT say after the game?: we knew how the refs would treat the opposition for calls, they are 3x stanley cup finalists? Bye Bunting, you aren't Kardri, altho I loved your effort.
We must face the fact that the leafs and every other Canadian team will never win a cup again. Once you come to terms with it the playoffs can be fun and less stressful imo.
When Kadri got suspended, I was mad because he was a key player but I got to be honest, I’m not mad about buntings suspension cuz he’s coasting us games
Not a Bunting fan, but I will shout this to the roofs, Cernak is a dirty headhunter himself, so no sympathy.
Gogogogoteam
Say what you want about diving, this is downright unacceptable and stupid.
You should look at game 2 bro….
Hello from the evening of April 20th, 2023…. Things get better, don’t worry!
Make a video of how pathetic Tampa played
I support Bunting more tha Kadri; however, both players were victims of sh*tty referrees who developed some sort of aversion to calling penalties on opposing players who committed infractions against both Bunting and Kadri. Tampa may regret getting Bunting kicked because The Leafs are going to be better with Knies than with Bunting. The refs may not be able to turn the game in favour of Tampa as easily as they would with Bunting. Always wonder what it costs to buy a reffing foursome (allegedly) in the NHL playoffs. Only Tampa knows for sure. LOL
Bad call on Bunting, severe suspension as well, lots of examples throughout the playoff of worse behavior (Nosek hit so Staal poor exaplo)
Leafs are better without him
I think Bunting is a really fun Leaf to watch, he can be volatile in a really entertaining way. That hit was pretty stupid though and I hope he doesn't let it get to that level again but I really hope he stays with the Leafs for a bit.
Keefe is like a parent that does not want to see what everyone else sees. Bunting is no top 6 forward and he has to stop screaming at refs.
Who cares it’s the leafs lol
Wrong — Bunting did NOT step over a line at all — the hit to the head was because Cernak had his head too damn low (because he wasnt paying attention) NOT a suspension at all