Kariya Concussion Costly

Mighty Duck star Paul Kariya will be sidelined at least the next two games because of a concussion, and Toronto’s Mathieu Schneider was suspended by the NHL in the aftermath of Wednesday’s 3-2 victory by the Ducks.

Kariya, injured when an elbow from Schneider sent him to the ice during the first period, was kept overnight for observation at Anaheim Memorial Hospital. He didn’t accompany the Ducks on a two-game trip to Dallas and St. Louis and will be reevaluated when the team returns.

“I hope it doesn’t drag on,” said Coach Ron Wilson, who called Schneider’s unpenalized play “a blatant cheap shot.”

Schneider was suspended for the game against the Kings pending an NHL hearing today, after which it will be determined if he’ll sit out any more games.

Maple Leaf General Manager Cliff Fletcher told the Toronto Sun he thought Schneider’s elbow “was not a deliberate act” after watching the videotape, and Schneider called the league’s enforcement policy “inconsistent.”

The Ducks, 3-3-1 since Kariya’s return from a lingering abdominal injury, won only once in 11 games without him.

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Though players recognize the seriousness of concussions, they couldn’t help being amused by some of Kariya’s actions after the hit.

“He was laughing and in a good mood,” Teemu Selanne said. “Out of this world. He didn’t remember what place we were in or who we were playing.

“But it’s pretty scary. I had one three years ago, and it was the first time I couldn’t really remember things. Then the doctor asked me my wife’s name, and I said, ‘Sharon Stone.’ He said, ‘You’re OK.’ ”