Toronto Marlies defenseman and Maple Leafs prospect Viktor Loov might be sitting a couple games out for his hit on Grand Rapids Griffins winger and Red Wings prospect Zach Nastasiuk. Loov caught Nastasiuk with a vicious blindside hit to the head that landed Loov a major penalty and game misconduct.

The Hockey News

At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, 22-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Viktor Loov is no small man. And with his sizeable frame, he's no stranger to throwing around the body. Unfortunately for Loov, he might also become no stranger to watching from the sidelines following a blindside headshot to Detroit Red Wings prospect Zach Nastasiuk in the second game of the first-round AHL tilt between the Toronto Marlies and Grand Rapids Griffins.

Nastasiuk received a pass in the neutral zone and put his head down to collect the puck off of the boards. Before he could even lift his head to take a look, Loov had come across the ice and delivered a massive blow that popped Nastasiuk's helmet clean off and left the 20-year-old winger laying on the ice:

For the hit, Loov was issued a five-minute major and 10-minute match penalty for checking to the head and booted from the game. The penalty came late in the third period so Loov, who hasn't been suspended in his North American career, won't likely be able to use the defense that he's already missed what amounted to a full game for his hit. According to the AHL rule book, Loov, who was ejected under Rule 48.5, received the match penatly for what was ruled an attempt to deliberately injure Nastasiuk.

Nastasiuk left the game and did not return.