SPORTS

Canadiens defenceman Murray suspended three games for hit on Lightning's Kostka

The Canadian Press Published Thursday, April 3, 2014 2:48PM EDT

Montreal Canadiens' Peter Budaj (30), of the Czech Republic, gives up an early goal to Phoenix Coyotes' Radim Vrbata as Canadiens' Douglas Murray (6), of Sweden, Alex Galchenyuk (27), and Mike Weaver (43) all look for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Thursday, March 6, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP / Ross D. Franklin)

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NEW YORK - The NHL has suspended Montreal Canadiens defenceman Douglas Murray for three games for an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Michael Kostka.

The incident occurred with 2:13 left in regulation of the Lightning's 3-1 home win over the Canadiens on Tuesday. Murray was assessed a match penalty for illegal check to the head on the play.

Kostka was on the ice for several minutes after the hit. A stretcher was brought out, but Kostka left the ice on his own power.

The Lightning say Kostka has been diagnosed with a concussion.

Murray will forfeit $23,076.93 in salary. He will return for Montreal's second-last regular-season game next Thursday at home to the New York Islanders.