B'Hawks Reid Simpson Suspended
Reid Simpson of the Chicago Blackhawks was suspended for two games without pay by the NHL on Saturday and fined $1,000 for hitting a fan with a plastic water bottle.
Simpson threw the water bottle while serving a penalty in the third period against Toronto in Chicago on Thursday night.
The Blackhawks, who lost 10-3, trailed when Simpson was assessed a penalty. A spectator near the penalty box began heckling the 29-year-old forward and Simpson hurled a container over the barrier, striking a man on a shoulder. The fan was ejected by United Center security staff.
"There can be no excusE for any contact with fans by NHL personnel," NHL senior vice president Colin Campbell said.
Simpson missed Saturday night's game at Buffalo and will miss Sunday's game against Ottawa.
Tampa Bay's Andrei Nazarov was suspended for Saturday night's game at Phoenix pending a hearing Wednesday, the result of a cross check against Colorado's Cam Russell in the third period Friday night.
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