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Buffalo Sabres D Rasmus Ristolainen suspended three games

By The Sports Xchange
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (55) has been suspended for three games without pay for a late hit against Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel (not pictured) on Tuesday. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (55) has been suspended for three games without pay for a late hit against Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel (not pictured) on Tuesday. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has been suspended for three games without pay for a late hit against Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel on Tuesday.

Ristolainen skated backward through the neutral zone and hit Guentzel hard in the head when he didn't have the puck.

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Guentzel initially attempted to skate to the bench before falling to the ice. He eventually made his way off with the assistance of a trainer but did not return to the game and was diagnosed with a concussion.

"It hurts," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "He's a good player. He's been a part of (our top) line that's been very good for us as of late. Hopefully it won't be too long (that he's out)."

Ristolainen was given a five-minute major penalty for interference as well as a game misconduct.

"I don't like the fact that he got ejected," Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. "I think it's an unfortunate play."

Ristolainen will forfeit $90,000 to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

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