NHL suspends Laraque for three games

TORONTO (AFP) — The National Hockey League's disciplinary committee suspended Pittsburgh Penguins forward Georges Laraque for three games after he knocked a Buffalo player unconscious with a high hit.

Laraque, 31, delivered an elbow to the head of defenceman Nathan Paetsch during the second period of the Penguins' 7-3 victory over the Sabres on Wednesday.

Laraque appeared to hit Paetsch as he skated past, sending the blue-liner crashing to the ice.

Paetsch lay motionless for a few minutes and a stretcher was brought onto the ice. However, he managed to get to his feet and skated off the ice.

After the game, a livid Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said Paetsch suffered a concussion and could be sidelined for a while.

Laraque received a five-minute penalty for elbowing and a 10-minute game misconduct for the incident.