NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has reduced the 10 game suspension handed out to Daniel Carcillo to six games after the Rangers forward appealed the penalty last week.
Carcillo was punished for making contact with linesman Scott Driscoll in the first period of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final at Madison Square Garden after Habs forward Brandon Prust hit teammate Derek Stepan with a high hit.
Per the NHL's statement:
Carcillo had originally been assessed a suspension under Rule 40.3 for deliberately applying physical force to an official. A violation of that particular Rule requires a minimum suspension of "not less than ten games."After considering Carcillo's appeal during a hearing at the NHL's New York office on Friday, May 30, the Commissioner ruled that Carcillo's actions were more appropriately deemed a violation of Rule 40.4 for deliberately applying "physical force to an official for the sole purpose of getting free of such official during or immediately following an altercation." The Commissioner determined that as appropriately re-classified under Rule 40.4, and under the totality of the circumstances, a suspension of six (6) games was the proper penalty.
The National Hockey League does not and will not, under any circumstances, tolerate or condone the abuse, physical or otherwise, of our on-ice officials. The strict and proper enforcement of Rule 40, therefore, plays a critical role in safeguarding the integrity of the game by maintaining a safe and respectful working environment for our officials.
Carcillo was out for the last three games of the Montreal series and will be able to return for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final in New York.
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