Ciccarelli Suspended for Pushing Official

Dino Ciccarelli, the Minnesota North Stars’ leading scorer last season, was suspended for three games by the National Hockey League Monday because of physical contact with a linesman during an exhibition game.

In the North Stars’ 6-5 loss at Chicago Sunday, Ciccarelli and Black Hawk Gary Nylund got involved in a stick-swinging incident. Both players were ejected, but Ciccarelli refused to go to the dressing room and repeatedly pushed away linesman Marc Pare. Ciccarelli, who had 52 goals and 51 assists last season, will miss Thursday’s season opener at Buffalo, Saturday’s home opener against Philadelphia and Monday’s game against the Rangers at New York.