Pens' Kasparaitis Suspended

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Darius Kasparaitis was suspended for two games Wednesday for elbowing J.P. Dumont of Chicago in the head.

Kasparaitis was ejected from Saturday's game, his first of the season after sitting out four games for conditioning reasons. Dumont was knocked out, and later was diagnosed with a concussion.

The NHL ruled the elbowing as intentional.

"The hit delivered by Mr. Kasparaitis was deliberate," NHL vice president Colin Campbell said. "His opponent was not in possession of the puck nor in a position to defend himself. This type of hit is dangerous and warrants disciplinary action."

Penguins coach Kevin Constantine said Kasparaitis did not purposely try to injure Dumont.

"I understand that they're trying to protect the players, and that's admirable," Constantine said. "But he didn't run him, not with the play near the boards like it was, and he didn't try to hurt him. He just happened to get hurt on the play."

Kasparaitis said, "He had his head down. That's why he got hurt. I didn't try to hurt him."

Kasparaitis is considered one of the NHL's top hitters and agitators, but the suspension was the first of his eight-year career.

"I always try to play within the rules," he said. "I play hard and I hit hard. But I don't try to hurt anybody, and I didn't try to hurt him."

Under the terms of the NHL's collective bargaining agreement, Kasparaitis must forfeit two game checks, which based on his annual average salary would be $15,626.

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