Toronto Maple Leafs farmhand Garret Sparks returned to action Saturday after being suspended by the team for making violent and sexist remarks on Facebook.

"It's been a lot to deal with," Sparks said, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton. "I understand what I did."

Toronto Marlies head coach Sheldon Keefe said what happened was part of the education of a professional athlete. Sparks started for the club Saturday, stopping 27 of 30 shots in a 3-2 loss.

While the Marlies and Leafs believed Sparks' intentions were in the right place, the goaltender acknowledged his mistake and the lessons he learned.

"I should know the difference between what I can and can't say. It's just holding myself to a higher standard of professionalism."

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