Leafs’ Kessel suspended for rest of pre-season for slashing Buffalo enforcer

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Toronto Maple Leafs sniper Phil Kessel won’t miss any time this regular season for slashing Buffalo tough guy John Scott.

The NHL has suspended him for the final three games of the exhibition season, but the winger will be available when Toronto opens its 2013-14 season against Montreal next Tuesday.

The incident came during Sunday’s ugly game between the division rivals. After Buffalo’s Corey Tropp was injured in a fight with Toronto’s Jamie Devane, Scott attempted to go after Kessel on the next shift.

Kessel slashed Scott twice and give him a spear and was ejected from the game. The incident sparked a bench-clearing brawl, which resulted in Leafs forward David Clarkson being suspended for 10 regular-season games for leaving the bench and Buffalo coach Ron Rolston being fined for “player selection and team conduct.”