Player suspended for reckless hit to opponents head.

The NHL has handed down a suspension on Monday.

The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Ottawa Senators forward Mark Stone has been suspended two games for an illegal check to the head on Detroit Red Wings forward Landon Ferraro in Saturday's game.

The questionable hit to the head occurred midway through the second period of Saturday's game. Stone caught Ferraro with a hit as he came across the ice, one that Ferraro never saw coming. Stone was assessed a minor penalty for elbowing on the play. Ferraro was forced to leave the game, but returned to the game a short time later.

This is the first time Stone has been suspended in his career.

"We're obviously disappointed with the decision to suspend Mark," Senators general manager Bryan Murray said.

"He has no history of illegal hits and we feel he was in pursuit of the puck and fighting for his ice when the contact occurred," he added. "While discouraging to us, we're left to accept the league's ruling."

This is a significant loss to the team as Stone leads the Senators in scoring with 13 points through 11 games.

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