Anaheim Ducks center Antoine Vermette has been suspended 10 games by the NHL for slashing a linesman, per ESPN.
According to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun, Vermette will appeal the suspension.
The incident occurred during the 3rd period of the Ducks 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night. Vermette slapped his stick against the back of linesman Shandor Alphonso’s legs after losing a faceoff with Minnesota’s Mikko Koivu. The officials immediately stopped the game and assessed a game misconduct to Vermette, who is one of the NHL’s best in faceoff situations.
If the suspension stands, Vermette will lose more than $97,000, which will go to the league’s Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
During the appeal process NHL commissioner Gary Bettman would hear the first appeal and the following would be heard by an independent arbitrator.
Vermette, 34, has scored eight goals and 14 assists in 58 games for Anaheim this season.
You can see the incident below:
