Brashear Smacked With 6-Game Penalty

Suspension could spill into 2009-10 regular season

Arlington, Va. -- The NHL has suspended Capitals forward Donald Brashear for six games, beginning with Game 7 of Washington's first-round playoff series against the New York Rangers.

Brashear is being punished Monday for two separate actions -- one before and one during Washington's 5-3 victory in Game 6 at New York on Sunday.

His first mistake was making contact with Rangers forward Colton Orr in pregame warmups.  For that, Brashear has been suspended for one game.   

He will miss five additional games for what the NHL is calling a "blind-side hit" on Rangers forward Blair Betts midway through the first period.

Betts will miss Game 7 with a broken orbital bone.

The full suspension will be served during this postseason and, if necessary, the 2009-10 regular season.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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