Avalanche's Erik Johnson suspended two games for slash

NEW YORK, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson was slapped with a two-game suspension Tuesday, the result of a slash to the New York Islanders' Frans Nielsen.

Nielsen suffered a broken left hand on the play during the Avs' win in New York Saturday and could miss up to five games when the NHL schedule resumes after the Olympic break, Islanders General Manager Garth Snow told Newsday.

Johnson's two-handed slash earned him a minor penalty from game officials.

The NHL said he would miss Colorado's first two games after the break, including contests Feb. 26 against Los Angeles and Feb. 28 against Phoenix.