Phoenix Coyotes - Bissonnette 10 Game Suspension, Klesla Doing Okay

 

Phoenix Coyotes forward Paul Bissonnette has been automatically suspended without pay for 10 regular-season games as a result of being assessed a game misconduct penalty for leaving the bench on an illegal line change to join an altercation during NHL Preseason Game No. 9 against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday night in Glendale, Ariz.

At 12:09 of the first period, Bissonnette was assessed a game misconduct under Rule 70.6, which states: "A game misconduct penalty shall be imposed on the player who was the first or second player to leave the players' or penalty bench during an altercation or for the purpose of starting an altercation, from either or both teams."

 

The suspension is mandated by Rule 70.10, which states: "The first player to leave the players' or penalty bench illegally during an altercation or for the purpose of starting an altercation from either or both teams shall be suspended without pay for the next 10 regular League and/or playoff games of his team."

 

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and based on his average annual salary, Bissonnette will forfeit $37,820.51. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund. Bissonnette will be eligible to return to the Coyotes' lineup on Oct. 24 at Los Angeles.

 

Coyotes defenseman Rostislav Klesla, who was removed from Sunday night’s home preseason game vs. the Los Angeles Kings on a stretcher, was at home on Monday morning after spending a few hours at a local hospital. Coyotes Head Coach Dave Tippett said Klesla is experiencing concussion/whiplash symptoms and there is no timetable for his return to the team. Kings forward Jordan Nolan delivered a hard check to Klesla midway through the first period that left Klesla motionless on the ice for several minutes. His neck was stabilized by medical staff members, and he was eventually wheeled off the ice and gave the crowd a quick wave as he left. Meanwhile, Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek also missed Monday’s practice. Michalek left Sunday night’s game in the second period after being hit in the face by the puck. He received multiple stitches to close a cut near his mouth and returned to the game in the third period, but Tippett excused him from Monday’s on-ice workout.

“He probably has a little bit of a headache but ... he's home, which is a good sign," Tippett said after Monday’s practice at Jobing.com Arena.

 

Video of the Hit: http://video.coyotes.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=445093&lang=en