Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta suspended 5 games for boarding

Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta was suspended five games by the league Monday for pushing Rangers center Brad Richards into the boards head-first during Sunday night’s game at Madison Square Garden.

Kaleta, who will forfeit more than $72,000 in salary, was assessed a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct for the play, which occurred in the third period of Buffalo’s 3-2 shootout loss. Richards stayed on the ice, writhing in pain, for about a minute but soon returned to the game.

Explained NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan in announcing the suspension: “Kaleta is in full control of this play and has ample opportunity to make a better decision.”

Kaleta, who has no points and a team-high 46 penalty minutes in 18 games this season, has been suspended twice before.

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