Vermette suspended 10 games for slashing ref

Anaheim Ducks forward Antoine Vermette was suspended for 10 games without pay Thursday for slashing a linesman in apparent anger after a faceoff.

Vermette slapped his stick against the back of linesman Shandor Alphonso’s legs after losing a faceoff to Minnesota captain Mikko Koivu during the third period of the Ducks’ 1-0 win Tuesday.

Two days later, the NHL issued the automatic 10-game suspension under league rules for applying physical force to an official without intent to injure. Vermette, who will lose $97,222.22 in salary, had never previously been fined or suspended during his 13 NHL seasons.

Vermette is expected to appeal the suspension to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. He could take a further appeal to an independent arbitrator.

The normally mild-mannered Vermette appeared to act in frustration after Alphonso dropped the puck before the forward had put his stick on the ice. Vermette has been the NHL’s most proficient faceoff man this season, winning 62.4 per cent of his 985 draws.

After the game, Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle said he thought Vermette hadn’t acted maliciously, but had been trying to get Alphonso’s attention after what he viewed as an unfair faceoff.

But Carlyle also acknowledged that NHL rules strictly prohibit contact with officials. Alphonso is a former OHL player in his first full season as an NHL linesman.

If Vermette immediately serves the entire 10-game suspension, he would be out until Anaheim’s visit from the NHL-leading Washington Capitals on March 12.