Blues' Tkachuk suspended for slashing Chicago's Odelein

ST. LOUIS -- The National Hockey League on Monday suspended St. Louis Blues forward Keith Tkachuk one game for slashing Lyle Odelein of the Chicago Blackhawks in a game Sunday in Chicago.

A spokesman for the team said Tkachuk will not appeal. He will miss Tuesday's home game against Minnesota and be eligible to return Thursday when the Blues host Buffalo.

League officials said Tkachuk must forfeit one game's pay, which amounts to $42,784. The money goes to the Player's Emergency Assistance Fund.

The slash occurred at 3:07 of overtime in a game the Blackhawks eventually won 4-3. Tkachuk was assessed a minor penalty for high-sticking.

Tkachuk, a member of the U.S. Olympic team, leads the Blues with 31 goals. His 63 points is second to Pavol Demitra's 67.

DEVILS: Forward Bobby Holik was suspended for one game by the for hitting Carolina's Rod Brind'Amour in the face with his stick.

Brind'Amour needed seven stitches to close a cut above his left eye after being hit by Holik in the third period of the Hurricanes' 4-2 win over the Devils on Saturday.

Holik missed the Devils' game Monday against Florida and lost $18,041.24 in salary.

"I don't like to miss games because of injury. I hate to miss games because of suspension," Holik said Monday before sitting out his first game of the season. "I take pride in coming to play every night. I have probably missed more games to suspensions than injuries over the last six or seven years."

Holik's penalty looked vicious on replay. After losing a faceoff to Brind'Amour, he drilled the opposing center to the side of his head with the butt end of his stick.

"From my point of view, there is nothing to be regretful about," Holik said. "It's not about the last game. If I felt regretful for the things I do on the ice, that would make me the guilty one. I believe I just compete. At times I am skating on the edge. It results in plays that are interpreted differently by different people."