THE SIDELINES : Hawks’ Manson Suspended

The National Hockey League suspended Blackhawks defenseman Dave Manson for three games after tempers flared in the team’s weekend loss to the Rangers.

Manson was penalized by the league Monday for pushing an official aside moments after New York’s Chris Nilan poked Chicago goalie Alain Chevrier in the mask with his stick in the third period.

Manson, who was rushing toward Nilan when the incident occurred, demeaned the official, the NHL contends.

“I’ve seen a hundred situations where it’s happened a lot worse and nothing was called,” Blackhawks General Manager Bob Pulford said of Manson’s actions.