NEW YORK -- The National Hockey League announced today that Florida Panthers forward Krystofer Barch has been suspended one game as a result of an inappropriate comment directed at P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens at the end of the first period of Game 559 in Florida, December 31, 2011.
Mr. Barch will miss tonight's game in New York against the Rangers.
"Mr. Barch has admitted making the remark, but denies that the comment was racially motivated," said Colin Campbell, Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. "While we accept Mr. Barch's assertion, as a player in the National Hockey League, he must be held accountable for making a comment that, in the context in which it was made, and in light of the entirety of the circumstances, was offensive and unacceptable."