Phoenix Coyotes left wing Scottie Upshall was suspended two games by the NHL on Wednesday for an illegal hit on Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Oskars Bartulis.
The incident occurred early in the second period of Phoenix's 3-2 overtime win over the Flyers on Tuesday night. Upshall was assessed a minor penalty for boarding on a blindside on Bartulis, who was injured on the play.
''It's unfortunate, and maybe a little reckless on his part,'' Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said after the Coyotes lost 8-3 to Tampa Bay on Wednesday night.
''But I think it's unfortunate the player got injured. The league is trying to do the best it can to protect the players, so it's just kind of a freak incident.''
Upshall missed the Lightning game and will also sit out Friday's game at Columbus.
