Cross-Check on Kariya Costs Suter Four Games

In the end, Chicago Blackhawk defenseman Gary Suter did not go unpunished for his cross-check to the jaw of Mighty Duck left wing Paul Kariya on Sunday. The NHL suspended Suter for four games and fined him $1,000 Tuesday for his second-period hit on Kariya, who suffered a mild concussion and a bruised jaw in the Ducks’ 4-3 overtime victory.

“Mr. Suter delivered a dangerous cross-check to the head of Mr. Kariya, who was in the process of shooting the puck into the Chicago goal and was not in a position to defend himself,” said Brian Burke, NHL director of hockey operations. “Players must be aware that such reckless use of the stick will not be tolerated.”

Neither Kariya nor David McNab, Duck assistant general manager, would comment about the suspension. Suter, who was not penalized by referee Dan Marouelli, served the first game of his suspension Tuesday at Phoenix.

Kariya sat out his second day of practice and his status was uncertain for tonight’s game against the New York Rangers. He did some weight work and rode a stationary bicycle but left the Ducks’ practice facility in Anaheim without speaking to reporters.

“He’s probably closer to doubtful, but we’ll know more in the morning,” McNab said. “Right now, he’s very doubtful. If he doesn’t play tonight, then he’s probably the same for Saturday [against the Kings]. With that type of injury, you just never know.”

Said linemate Teemu Selanne: “Now we’ll see how tough he is. If he’s tough, he’ll play. Of course, he has to be smart too. I think he’s going to play. He doesn’t know himself yet. He holds the ball in his hands right now.”

Asked his opinion of the play, Selanne said, “I don’t think [Suter] was trying to hurt anybody. It seemed to me that because Paul had already scored it looked dirty. Since he was cross-checked in the face and because he was injured, those were the two things that make it different.”

Kariya was sidelined for two games last season after Toronto Maple Leaf defenseman Mathieu Schneider elbowed him in the head Nov. 13, 1996. Schneider served a three-game suspension.

Despite sitting out the season’s first 32 games because of a contract dispute, Kariya is the Ducks’ third-leading scorer with 31 points (17 goals, 14 assists).