Philadelphia Flyers forward Riley Cote was suspended Monday for three games after using his elbow to strike Dallas forward Matt Niskanen into the boards during Saturday's game.
And while that transaction may have gone unnoticed by most NHL fans, the league's front office sure was aware of it.
Why? Cote became the fifth Flyers player suspended by the league since the preseason for a dangerous shot to an opposing player.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and disciplinarian Colin Campbell told Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren that five suspension-worthy incidents are too many.
Campbell said he and Bettman "thought it was time we questioned the circumstantial aspects to suspensions when it comes to five suspensions at a quarter of the way through the season.
"Are we saying there is any directive? I would not think either [Coach John Stevens] or [Holmgren] are instigating this. We're not suggesting that there is any direction, but [the Flyers] certainly are not behaving the right way.
"Bettman called the GM after Cote's suspension and put the team on notice.
"(Bettman) thinks, like I do, that these are different coincidences, different situations, that have to be viewed differently, but the question was raised about ramifications if it happens again. So obviously we're under watch," Holmgren said.
The Flyers have lost 52 man games to suspension this season and have become known around the league as a dirty team.
The first to be suspended was Steve Downie, who received 20 games for a head shot to Ottawa's Dean McAmmond during a preseason game. He was followed by Jesse Boulerice, 25 games for a cross-check to the face of Vancouver's Ryan Kesler on Oct. 10, and then Randy Jones, who got two games for a check from behind to Boston's Patrice Bergeron, Oct. 27. Last week, Scott Hartnell was suspended two games for checking Boston's Andrew Alberts in the head while he was on his knees.
Holmgren said the hits have been discussed between the coaches and players, and management and the coaches, but that the warning by the league would bring a new meeting.
"It will be discussed," Holmgren said. "Whether or not it's fair, it's out there so we need to take a look at it and discuss it, and we will."
Head shots have been a topic of attention since last summer, when the league decided to crack down.SAKIC AILING: Colorado captain Joe Sakic missed his second consecutive game Monday night because of a groin injury.
Sakic, second on the team in assists (15) and points (22), had his 232-consecutive-game streak end Saturday at Los Angeles.
Colorado plays Columbus on Wednesday - bet on the game at WagerWeb.com - but Avs coach Joel Quenneville said Sakic is "doubtful, because he hasn't been on the ice yet. We'll see."
STARS ADD ONE, LOSE ONE: The Dallas Stars have climbed to the top of the Pacific Division since overhauling their front office, but to stay there they will have to do it without right wing Jere Lehtinen, who is expected to miss 8-10 weeks because of an abdominal injury that required surgery.
In 21 games this season, Lehtinen has six goals and 13 assists for 19 points, and he led the club with 26 goals last season.
The Stars put Lehtinen on injured reserve and activated defenseman Mattias Norstrom, who has missed 13 games after fracturing the orbital bone around an eye Nov. 7 at San Jose.
Norstrom was cleared by doctors to play Monday, but Stars coaches decided not to put him in the lineup.
He could return Wednesday against the Sharks - bet on the game at WagerWeb.com.
SEE YA IN 5: Predators forward Scott Nichol was suspended five games by the NHL for a blow to the head of Montreal defenseman Patrice Brisebois. He will be eligible to return Dec. 15.
Nichol, who was suspended nine games last December for a sucker-punch to the head of Buffalo defenseman Jaroslav Spacek, is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Nichol has 2 points, 30 penalty minutes and is plus-5 this season.
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