Leaf Suspended for Three Games

The NHL suspended Toronto defenseman Mathieu Schneider three games Friday for throwing an elbow that resulted in Duck star Paul Kariya’s concussion Wednesday night during the Ducks’ 3-2 victory.

Schneider already has sat out one game, missing a loss to the Kings on Thursday, and won’t play at Phoenix tonight or against Buffalo at home on Tuesday.

Duck Coach Ron Wilson seemed satisfied with the length of the suspension after calling for supplementary discipline. Kariya is out for at least two games and will be reevaluated Monday before doctors decide when he might be able to return.

Schneider, a well-regarded player in the league, had never been suspended before and Maple Leaf officials hoped that would aid his case.

“Heavy weight was given to the severity of the injury,” Toronto assistant general manager Bill Watters told the Toronto Sun after the suspension was handed down following a hearing. “I guess it worked for us in that he got three games instead of four.”

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Former Russian great Sergei Makarov, 38, played his first NHL game in more than a season, suiting up for the Stars after signing a $300,000 contract last month. A key figure in the San Jose Sharks’ playoff runs in 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons, Makarov was cut by the Sharks before last season and never officially retired. Stars General Manager Bob Gainey spotted him practicing as an assistant coach with Russia’s World Cup of Hockey team and signed him.