Ryan Sikes 
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
Following his in-person hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety on Tuesday, LA Kings forward Brendan Lemieux has been suspended five (5) games for biting Brady Tkachuk last Saturday.
Here is the official statement from the league:
Los Angeles Kings forward Brendan Lemieux has been suspended for five games, without pay, for biting Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk during NHL Game No. 325 in Los Angeles on Saturday, Nov. 27, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.
The incident occurred at 13:51 of the third period. Lemieux was assessed a match penalty.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Lemieux will forfeit $38,750.00. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Lemieux’s suspension will begin on Tuesday night, missing the Freeway Faceoff with the Anaheim Ducks. He will be eligible to return on December 11 against the Minnesota Wild.
The 25-year-old has brought some much-needed grit to the Kings forwards group – so much that the team is 9-3-2 with him in the lineup and 0-5-1 without him.
Rasmus Kupari is likely to draw back into the lineup in Lemieux’s absence.