Blackhawks' Duncan Keith Suspended For 6 Games
(CBS) Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith has been suspended for six games for his vicious high sticking of Wild center Charlie Coyle in Tuesday's loss, meaning he'll miss the first contest of the postseason, as the Blackhawks have five regular-season games left.
The decision was announced Friday after Keith had a hearing via phone with the league's Department of Player Safety. Keith waived his right to an in-person hearing in New York. His suspension starts immediately, as he won't play in Chicago's contest Friday evening at Winnipeg.
The decision was announced Friday evening via Twitter.
Keith was ejected in receiving a match penalty for intent to injury midway through the first period following the ugly incident Tuesday. After being knocked to the ice by Coyle, Keith swung his stick at Coyle's face, cutting him on the nose. Coyle avoided serious injury.
The Blackhawks' most reliable defenseman, Keith won the Norris Trophy in 2013-'14 and finished seventh in that voting last season. He routinely plays heavy minutes in the playoffs, so his loss is a big hit to a team that's had uneven play lately.
Keith has 43 points (nine goals, 34 assists) in 67 games this season. He declined to discuss the high-sticking incident with reporters after Thursday's practice.
This wasn't Keith's first serious high-sticking transgression. During the Western Conference finals in 2013, Keith was suspended for one game for high sticking Kings center Jeff Carter.
