Dallas Stars goaltender Marty Turco has been suspended four games for his stick infraction in Wednesday night's game against the Edmonton Oilers.
Turco forfeits $195,121.96 US in salary based on the fact he's a repeated offender. He was banned one game last season for a high stick on Colorado Avalanche centre Peter Forsberg.
Turco willl sit out Saturday at Vancouver, Sunday at San Jose, next Wednesday at home against the Oilers and April 2 at Minnesota, returning for the club's last regular-season game April 4 at home against Chicago.
In the first period, Turco struck Ryan Smyth in the mouth , earning him a double-minor high sticking penalty. Smyth was bleeding from the cut and sent to the dressing room for repairs.
''I didn't hit Smytty in the face on purpose,'' Turco said following the game. ''It was an accident. That's all I'm going to say about that.''
Veteran backup Ron Tugnutt is expected to handle the load while Turco is out.