Luke Witkowski has been suspended 10 games for his actions in the game between the Detroit Red Wings and Calgary Flames.
General manager Ken Holland confirmed the suspension on Thursday evening.
Witkowski's suspension will start with Friday's game against the Buffalo and run through Dec. 9.
The suspension was expected, as Witkowski clearly violated NHL rules Wednesday. Officials ejected Witkowski from the game after a brawl late in the third period, but as he walked toward the Wings tunnel, Calgary forward Matthew Tkahcuk speared Witkowski in the back of his legs, and Witkowski responded by turning around and going back onto the ice.
From NHL Rule 70.6:
"Any player or goalkeeper who has been ordered to the dressing room by the officials and returns to his bench or to the ice surface for any reason before the appropriate time shall be assessed a game misconduct and shall be suspended automatically without pay for the next ten (10) regular League and/or Play-off games."
Tkachuk will have a hearing Friday with the NHL department of player safety for his unsportsmanlike conduct. That hardly matters to the Wings as they are done with the Western Conference opponent for the season.
Witkowski doesn't play much for the Wings _ Wednesday was his eighth appearance of the season, but he's a hit with teammates and coach Jeff Blashill. The Wings were off Thursday, but here's what Blashill said about Witkowski after the Flames game: "I can tell you that I hear it from the bench _ when Witter is in the lineup, they're glad he is in the lineup. I can hear their chatter. They know there is an element of physicality and toughness. He's a good hockey player but he's also tough. Our bench knows it when he is the lineup. You know someone is going to be out there sticking up for you."
