NEW YORK, March 9 (UPI) -- The National Hockey League Friday indefinitely suspended New York Islanders forward Chris Simon for a stick-swinging incident.
Simon was given a match penalty for a deliberate attempt to injure and was thrown out of Thursday's game against the New York Rangers when he hit Ryan Hollweg with his stick.
Hollweg checked Simon into the boards and, after getting up and seeing Hollweg moving toward him, Simon took a two-handed swing with his stick and hit Hollweg in the face.
The Rangers' player fell and was motionless on the ice for a time but was able to leave the ice on his own. After the game Hollweg said the extent of the injury wouldn't be known until he was examined but did black out briefly and also temporarily lost his hearing.
The Rangers scored their game-winning goal on the power play after Simon was ejected.
Simon refused to discuss the incident until he spoke to league officials. NHL officials said they would convene a hearing to determine how long Simon would be suspended.
