Carcillo’s Suspension Reduced to Six Games

Andrew Theodorakis/New York Daily News

The Commissioner of the National Hockey League, Gary Bettman, has reduced Dan Carcillo’s suspension from an automatic 10 games to six games.

Carcillo pushed Linesman Scott Driscoll while being escorted to the penalty box during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Montreal Canadiens.  A scrum had broken out in the corner and there was some pushing and shoving.  Driscoll  grabbed Carcillo and he tried to push the linesman away.  Carcillo decided to appeal the suspension and won.

Bettman decided that Carcillo used physical force to get away from an official after an altercation and that is why the suspension was reduced from 10 games to six.  The suspension was originally 10 games because Rule 40.4 states that “if a player deliberately uses physical force on an official without an intent to injure, then that player will be automatically suspended a minimum of 10 games.”

Carcillo has already served three games of the suspension and is eligible to come back for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Los Angeles Kings.  How the series is going for the Rangers will probably determine on how Alain Vingeault decides to use Carcillo, if at all.