The NHL handed down a two-game suspension for Vancouver forward Byron
Bitz on Thursday for an incident in the series opener against Los
Angeles.
Bitz incurred a five-minute boarding major and a game misconduct
after hitting Kings forward Kyle Clifford high during the second period
of Vancouver's 4-2 loss on Wednesday. Clifford will also miss Game 2, due to an upper body injury.
Former Canucks defenceman Willie Mitchell scored on the ensuing power
play to put the visitors ahead 2-1, a shot that got past screened
Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo.
Bitz will be eligible to play again for Game 4 on April 18 in Los Angeles.
The 27-year-old journeyman was a late season addition to the lineup
for the Canucks, scoring a goal and adding three assists in 10 games,
with 14 penalty minutes.
The next game of the series is at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Friday (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7 p.m. PT)
