SPRINGFIELD, Canada -- Albany Devils defenceman Dan Kelly has been suspended 10 games by the American Hockey League for an illegal check to the head of Toronto Marlies forward Andreas Johnson.
Kelly's suspension will begin Thursday night as Toronto visits Albany for Game 5 of the North Division final.
If Albany is eliminated from the Calder Cup playoffs before the suspension is completed, the remaining games would carry over to the next time Kelly is active on an AHL club roster.
The offending hit occurred in the second period of Game 4 on Monday. Kelly elbowed Johnson in the head as the young Swede was crossing the blue line into Albany's zone after taking a pass from Connor Carrick.
Johnson, who was playing in just his second game in North America since joining the Marlies from the Swedish Hockey league, was slow to get up and needed help to the bench. He didn't return.
Kelly was assessed a match penalty for checking to the head.
Toronto won the game 7-2 to tie the best-of-seven series 2-2.
