NHLPA officially backs Jason Spezza following his suspension

Jason Spezza of the Toronto Maple Leafs has the official backing of the union representing NHL players following his suspension this week. The NHLPA has announced it will appeal the six games Spezza received for kneeing Neal Pionk of the Winnipeg Jets.

"This evening, the NHLPA filed an appeal on behalf of Jason Spezza regarding the NHL's decision to suspend him for 6 games," said the union.

Some view Spezza's hit on Pionk as retaliation for an earlier knee-on-knee hit by Pionk on Rasmus Sandin. Sandin is expected to miss two to three weeks, while the Jets placed Pionk in concussion protocol on Tuesday. There are questions over why Pionk only got two games, while Spezza-who had never been suspended before in his lengthy career and is one of the least penalized players in the league-got six.

Both hits can be viewed below.

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