Kings defenceman Denis Gauthier is suspended for five games. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)Los Angeles Kings defenceman Denis Gauthier was suspended Monday for five games for a hit to the head.
Gauthier, 32, left his feet and rammed defenceman Josh Gorges in the head with his right forearm at the boards 3:50 into the second period of last Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre.
Gorges was so groggy that he wobbled and fell trying to regain his feet, and had to be helped to the bench.
Gauthier was assessed a five-minute major penalty for charging on the play — and a game misconduct.
He is eligible to return Feb. 14, when Los Angeles hosts the Edmonton Oilers at the Staples Center.
Montreal trailed by a goal with less than two minutes on the clock, but Chris Higgins tied it with 1:53 left and Saku Koivu scored the winning goal with 22.3 seconds remaining.
Gauthier has posted two assists and 54 penalty minutes in 43 games this season, his first with Los Angeles.
The Montreal native has registered 15 goals and 75 points with 712 penalty minutes in 532 games over 10 NHL seasons with the Calgary Flames, Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers and Kings.
Los Angeles acquired Gauthier and a second-round draft pick from the Flyers for defenceman Patrik Hersley and forward Ned Lukacevic last June 1.
With files from the Associated Press
