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| Posted by: ¤ Mario LeMoose ¤
- [141152516] Tue, Feb 25, 2003, 17:15
Four games, without pay, for whacking Wes Walz
Blues forward Keith Tkachuk has been suspended by the NHL for four games without pay as a result of his match penalty for hitting a player with an intent to injure on Sunday against Minnesota.
The suspension goes into effect immediately and Tkachuk will miss the team's upcoming homestand.
Tkachuk will lose $487,804.84 in salary. He also was suspended for one game in March 2002. Because Tkachuk is a repeat offender, he forfeits salary based on the number of games in the season (82), rather than the number of days (180).
In the Blues' 3-1 loss to the Wild on Sunday, Tkachuk cross-checked Minnesota forward Wes Walz to the ice. Tkachuk was hit with a match penalty for intent to injure, but said he never tried to hurt Walz.
Afterward, Walz said the incident was "no big deal."
"Mr. Tkachuk is a repeat offender who used his stick in a dangerous and inappropriate manner," said Colin Campbell, NHL executive vice president and director of hockey operations. "Blows with the stick to the head area continue to be unacceptable."
Tkachuk will be able to return to action March 7 against Detroit.
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