League criticizes reduction of suspension for Watson

NEW YORK — The NHL is criticizing an arbitrator’s decision to reduce the suspension of Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson, who pleaded no contest in July to a domestic assault charge. Watson, 26, received a 27-game suspension from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman last month. The six-foot-four, 204pound Ann Arbor, Mich., native was charged after pushing his girlfriend hard enough to leave red marks on her chest. The NHL and NHL Players’ Association announced Thursday that arbitrator Shyam Das had reduced it to 18 games. The NHL issued a statement Friday saying that “we are disappointed with the arbitrator’s decision.”