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Florida’s Selleck suspended two games for leaving bench to get KOed

WestgarthSelleck

Florida Panthers forward Eric Selleck has been suspended two games for an altercation with Carolina forward Kevin Westgarth on Tuesday night, the NHL has announced.

Selleck got an automatic one-game suspension for instigating a fight in the final five minutes of regulation (or anytime in overtime.) The NHL has tacked on another game for leaving the bench to fight.

The 25-year-old -- who was making his NHL debut on Tuesday -- was given a two-minute instigating minor, a five-minute fighting major, a game misconduct and the aforementioned one-game suspension for jumping onto the ice at 17:02 of the third period to do this:

In the video explanation, NHL discipline czar Brendan Shanahan acknowledges Selleck made a legal line change, but had jumped onto the ice for the sole purpose of going after Westgarth.

“In spite of the fact Westgarth is at the end of his shift,” Shanahan explained, “Selleck gives him no choice but to engage in this fight.”

Shanahan also noted that Selleck “ignored the puck” and made a beeline straight for Westgarth.

As a result, Selleck will now miss Thursday’s game against the Rangers and Saturday’s game against the Devils, and will fork over $5,945.94 in salary to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.