ESPN NHL

TORONTO -- Ottawa Senators star wing Martin Havlat was suspended five games by the NHL for kicking Boston defenseman Hal Gill.

	Havlat

Havlat will lose more than $66,000 for the suspension. He will begin serving the suspension Friday, when Ottawa visits the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Colin Campbell, the NHL director of hockey operations, cited a two-month period during the 2003-04 season when Havlat was disciplined three times in two months, including a two-game suspension for kicking.

Havlat kicked Gill in the groin during the second period of Ottawa's 5-1 victory over the Bruins. Havlat's kick came after he was pushed in the back of the net by the Bruins defenseman. Gill was not hurt and a penalty was not called.

On January 2, 2004, Havlat was suspended two games after kicking New York Islanders defenseman Eric Cairns in front of the New York goal at 9:56 of the third period. He also was suspended two games for a high-sticking incident in March 2004.

Havlat, Ottawa's first-round pick in the 1999 draft, recorded career highs with 31 goals and 68 points in 68 games with the Senators in 2003-04. He had two assists in the win against Boston as the Senators improved to 5-0-0.

Information from SportsTicker and The Associated Press was used in this report.