NHL suspends Canucks Shane O'Brien for one game

TORONTO - The National Hockey League suspended Vancouver Canucks defenceman Shane O'Brien for one game Thursday.

His stick made contact with Sean Avery of the New York Rangers while both players were on their respective benches in a game last Tuesday.

No penalty was assessed at the time of the incident, which occurred at 4:21 of the third period.

O'Brien is eligible to return for Friday night's game in Dallas. He will forfeit US$8,290.16 in salary.

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  Vancouver Canucks' Shane O'Brien, left, checks New York Rangers' Artem Anisimov, of Russia, during second period NHL action in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday November 3, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck