NHL suspends Kaleta four games

NEW YORK, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- The National Hockey League issued a four-game suspension to Buffalo forward Patrick Kaleta Thursday for head butting an opposing player.

Kaleta drove the top of his helmet into the face of Philadelphia forward Jakub Voracek Wednesday as several players were battling for the puck against the boards.

Kaleta has twice been suspended for a similar action, most recently on Feb. 23 for an incident involving Tobias Enstrom of the Atlanta Thrashers.

"This recent history of ramming his head into the faces of his opponents leads us to believe that this act is intentional," said Brendan Shanahan, who oversees discipline in the NHL.

Kaleta will be eligible to return Nov. 12 in a game at Boston. He will lose more than $19,000 in salary.