New York
Philadelphia Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo has been slapped with an eight-game suspension for a check from behind on Pittsburgh star defenceman Kris Letang, the National Hockey League announced on Monday.
Rinaldo, of Canada, was given a five-minute penalty on the play after he charged towards and then jumped in the air before hitting an unsuspecting Letang, who was trying to make a play along the side boards. Rinaldo was also thrown out of the game.
Letang left last week’s contest and did not return. He also sat out the Penguins’ game on Wednesday against Chicago.
Rinaldo is a repeat offender. He was handed a four-game ban last April for an illegal check on Buffalo defenceman Chad Ruhwedel.
Rinaldo was also suspended two games in 2012 for an illegal check on Detroit defenceman Jonathan Ericsson.
