NHL suspends Coyotes' Upshall for 2 games

NEW YORK, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Phoenix Coyotes forward Scottie Upshall has been suspended two games for his hit on Philadelphia defenseman Oskars Bartulis, the NHL said Wednesday.

Upshall hit Bartulis in the second period of the Coyotes' win over the Flyers Tuesday. The blow came at the side of net and sent Bartulis shoulder- and head-first into the end boards.

Doctors diagnosed the second-year blueliner with left shoulder instability and scheduled him for further testing Thursday, Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren said.

Holmgren didn't announce how long Bartulis will be out.

Upshall, who has racked up 16 goals and 11 assists in 60 games for Phoenix this year, will have to sit out games Wednesday in Tampa Bay and Friday in Columbus.