NHL suspends Brendan Witt for five games

NEW YORK, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Islanders' defenseman Brendan Witt has drawn a five-game NHL suspension for a five-minute major and game misconduct in Thursday's 5-4 shootout loss to Toronto.

At 2:21 of the third period, Witt was penalized when his left elbow caught Maple Leafs' forward Niklas Hagman, who was injured and did not return to the contest.

The league said Witt will miss Saturday's game against Buffalo, and games on March 2 against Colorado, March 5 against the New York Rangers, March 7 against New Jersey and March 8 against Phoenix.

Witt will be eligible to return March 10, when the Islanders travel to Toronto.

He has scored just seven points this season, all on assists, in 49 games.