Montreal Canadiens' forward Mike Cammalleri has been suspended one game by the NHL for his slash on Islanders forward Nino Niederreiter in a pre-season contest on Saturday.
The Richmond Hill, Ontario native learned his fate on a conference call with league disciplinarian Colin Campbell earlier in the day.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Cammalleri will forfeit $32,258.06. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
Cammalleri was originally given a five-minute slashing major and was ejected from the contest in the second period after he and the Isles rookie got engaged in an encounter along the boards. Upset at receiving a hard check, Cammalleri retaliated by spearing Niederreiter with his stick. He followed that with a cross-check and finally a slash to the back of the Swiss prospects' legs.
Niederreiter was forced to leave the game with what the team described as a bruised calf.
"I got an elbow first, then kind of got a stick. Then I was trying to get back in the play and got a cheapshot," Neiderreiter told reporters following the game. "It's pre-season, but you should never do a cheapshot like that. He came from behind and I never expected to get slashed. It's not a good thing."
It is unknown at this time if Cammalleri will appeal the decision.
The Canadiens open their regular season Thursday in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.
