Phoenix Coyotes enforcer Paul Bissonnette has been slapped with a 10-game suspension for leaving the players’ bench to engage in a fight against the Los Angeles Kings.
Canada’s Bissonnette left the bench to fight Jordan Nolan after teammate Rostislav Klesla was injured and suffered a concussion on a hit by the Kings’ forward.
Czech Klesla had to leave the ice on a stretcher following the hit which took place at 12:09 of the first period.
Nolan was not penalized for the hit and NHL discipline chief Brendan Shanahan said the referee did the right thing in not calling a penalty.
“Nolan broke no National Hockey League rules,” said Shanahan.
Bissonnette will be eligible to return to the Coyotes’ lineup on October 24 at Los Angeles.
Bissonnette banned 10 games for leaving bench
