Shark Myhres Suspended for Brawl

Mattias Norstrom had a shiner and the start of a scar on his right eyebrow, and King teammate Rob Blake had Monday off from practice in the aftermath of a brawl against San Jose on Saturday.

Shark winger Brantt Myhres was suspended from Monday’s game at Phoenix, pending a hearing Wednesday. He may face additional discipline if the NHL determines he left the bench to strike Norstrom and if he struck Norstrom with intent to injure.

Myhres told the San Jose Mercury News that he had left the bench prematurely to replace Alexander Korolyuk during a line change. Korolyuk had just been leveled by Norstrom on a check.

“I was waiting for “Korky’ to get off the ice,” Myhres said. “He was skating pretty fast to the bench, and I was waving him for a change. When I thought he got close enough, I went on. But unfortunately, Korky didn’t change. Looking at the tape now, I don’t think Korky ever got off.”

And Myhres never really got on, veering into the King bench to go after Norstrom, whereupon Blake took matters into his own hands. He was assessed a “third-man-in” penalty and given a game misconduct. Myhres also was ejected.

The NHL said Monday that Blake will not face additional punishment.

It’s been a difficult season for Myhres, who checked into a treatment center in Los Angeles for alcohol dependency after training camp, then went to Kentucky of the AHL before returning to the Sharks. Since then, he has twice had run-ins with players on other teams who have taunted him because of his alcohol problems, drawing in one case an apology from New Jersey’s Scott Stevens.

“It’s a tough situation for [Myhres],” said Norstrom, a physical defenseman who makes no apologies for his style. “He has to stick up for his teammates.”

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Goalie Stephane Fiset and forwards Luc Robitaille and Ray Ferraro also took Monday off.

Fiset’s sore groin, which prompted his being replaced Saturday by Jamie Storr, is a continuing concern. Coach Larry Robinson said Storr would play Wednesday at Phoenix, but that he hoped Fiset would be ready for Thursday’s game at home against Philadelphia.

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Defenseman Mark Visheau may be out for the season after learning he has a congenital urinary-tract obstruction that will require surgery.

Visheau has played in 28 games, with a goal and three assists.