Messier had been ejected for hit on Strbak
TORONTO -- New York Rangers captain Mark Messier was suspended for two games Monday for spearing an opponent.
Messier, 43, was ejected in the second period of the Rangers' 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday night, when he went after defenseman Martin Strbak during a New York power play.
Moments earlier, Strbak had cross-checked Messier near the bottom of the left circle in the Penguins' zone.
After the spearing, Strbak remained down on the ice for some time, but he did not leave the game.
The second-leading scorer in NHL history, Messier has 17 goals, 25 assists and 47 penalty minutes in 75 games during his 25th season.
The Rangers host the Penguins on Tuesday, then the Nashville Predators on Thursday.
Messier refused to comment on the play Sunday, but Strbak said he was surprised that Messier hit his abdomen with a stick.
"I respect Mark Messier. He's a great hockey player, a legend," Strbak said after the game. "I don't know what happened. I just gave him a little push from behind. I can't understand why he reacted like he did."
Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press
