Crowder Denied, Petit Suspended

Brian Burke, NHL senior vice president and the league’s chief disciplinarian, upheld a 10-game suspension of King right wing-enforcer Troy Crowder on Thursday and also suspended King defenseman Michel Petit for 10 games.

Crowder was suspended a week ago for abusing an official in an exhibition game, the same thing that brought about Petit’s suspension.

Petit’s transgression, against linesman Randy Mitton, is listed as Category II: “Any player who deliberately applies physical force to an official in any manner, which physical force is applied without intent to injure, shall be automatically suspended for not less than 10 games.”

Barring a successful appeal, Petit will sit out the final four exhibition games and the first six in the regular season. He will be eligible to return on Oct. 21 at Pittsburgh. Last season, Petit appeared in 40 games with the Kings, scoring 17 points and recording 84 penalty minutes.

“I’ve spoken with the Kings and they have made no request for an official review,” Burke said.

The incident occurred in the first period Wednesday night in a game against Calgary at Phoenix as Petit and Flame enforcer Sandy McCarthy were trying to get at one another. Linesman Swede Knox tried to hold McCarthy back, but McCarthy got away and managed to take a swipe at Petit, who was being restrained by Mitton.

An enraged Petit started flailing and knocked Mitton to the ice, according to the NHL’s report of the incident. “Michel just lost it,” said King General Manager Sam McMaster. “Here was a 6-foot-4 guy who was going to cold-cock him and he reacted. It’s not a reaction he’d do again.”

As for Crowder, the suspension has clouded his future with the Kings. Because he is in training camp for a tryout, it will obviously be difficult for Coach Larry Robinson to make an assessment.

“I have to meet with Larry and this will be his decision,” McMaster said. “He’s the one who will have to tell me to try to sign him.”

Crowder’s status also prevents the NHL from issuing a fine. Crowder received the suspension for elbowing linesman Brad Lazarowich during a fight with the Rangers’ Darren Langdon on Sept. 21 at the Forum.

“The 10 [games] will stand; there will be no supplementary discipline,” Burke said. “The financial consequences are difficult to describe because obviously you can’t fine a player who is not under contract.”

Meanwhile, the Kings trimmed their roster to 27 players, sending defensemen Jan Vopat, Chris Snell and Rob Cowie, and forwards Kevin Brown and Ken McRae to their minor league team in Phoenix.

Brown could still rejoin the Kings in time for the season opener but will get some playing time with the Roadrunners.

* Times staff writer Helene Elliott contributed to this story.