THE SIDELINES : Blackhawk Manson Suspended

Defenseman Dave Manson of the Chicago Blackhawks was suspended for four games by the NHL today for what the league said was a deliberate attempt to injure Toronto’s Drake Berehowsky on Saturday night.

Manson received a match penalty for the cross-checking incident.

Brian O’Neill, the league’s executive vice president who announced the suspension, said, “After reviewing the tape and the statements regarding this incident, it is clear that Manson deliberately cross-checked the Toronto player in the head area . . . and when he was not in possession of the puck.”

O’Neill went on to say in the written statement, “It is acknowledged that he was not attempting to check the player and, therefore, the foul was a deliberate and severe action which could have resulted in serious injury.”