Time Off for Bad Behavior

Hockey is a very physical game, which means play can sometimes lead to violence. The NHL has attempted to curb abuses with stiff penalties, but they still occur. In the Mighty Ducks’ opening game of the season, Ruslan Salei received a 10-day suspension for a shove in the back of Dallas center Mike Modano that sent him crashing headfirst into the boards and resulted in a concussion, broken nose and strained neck ligaments.

Players who have received the longest suspensions:

1. Marty McSorley (Boston), 23 games, February 2000, for knocking out Vancouver’s Donald Brashear with a stick-swinging hit.

2. Dale Hunter (Washington), 21 games, May 1993, for a blindside check of Pierre Turgeon of the N.Y. Islanders after a goal in a playoff game.

3. Tom Lysiak (Chicago), 20 games, Oct. 1983, for intentionally tripping a linesman.

4. Eddie Shore (Boston) 16 games, 1933, for hitting Toronto’s Ace Bailey over the head with his stick.

5. Maurice Richard (Montreal) 15 games, March 1955, for leveling linesman Cliff Thompson during a scuffle with Boston’s Hal Laycoe.

Source: Associated Press