Blackhawks' Carcillo handed 6-game ban

Jan 19, 2015 - 10:17 PM New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - The National Hockey League announced Monday that it has suspended Chicago Blackhawks forward Daniel Carcillo six games without pay for an illegal hit on Winnipeg forward Mathieu Perreault.

The incident occurred late in the second period of Chicago's 4-2 loss to the Jets on Friday. Carcillo received a minor penalty for cross-checking on the play.

"Carcillo comes up from behind and cross-checks Perreault in the left arm, causing an injury. This is not a hockey play. It has nothing to do with the puck, and the blow is delivered after the whistle has blown the play dead. Because the whistle has blown, Perreault has no reason to suspect he will be hit and therefore cannot protect himself," noted Stephane Quintal, league head of player safety, in a video explanation of his ruling.

Carcillo's prior history, along with the fact that Perreault sustained an upper-body injury that is expected to sideline him through the All-Star break, likely played a role in the league's decision. The veteran forward has been suspended eight times previously during his nine-year career.

The gritty winger last felt the sting of league discipline last spring while skating for the Rangers, when he was served a 10-game ban for abuse of an official during the Eastern Conference finals, a penalty which was later reduced to six games upon appeal.

The 29-year-old enforcer will be eligible to return when the Blackhawks visit Minnesota on Feb. 3. Carcillo has already served one game of his penalty, having sat out Sunday's matchup against Dallas while awaiting a hearing.