Predators D Anton Volchenkov suspended four games for hit to head

Nashville Predators defenseman Anton Volchenkov has been suspended four games for an illegal check to the head of Calgary Flames forward Michael Ferland.

Nashville Predators defenseman Anton Volchenkov has been suspended four games for an illegal check to the head, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Sunday.

In Nashville's loss to the Calgary Flames on Friday, Volchenlov struck Flames winger Michael Ferland in the head late in the second period.

Ferland, who was making his NHL debut, did not return and was ruled to have sustained a concussion. He didn't travel with Calgary for its five-game road trip that begins Sunday.

Volchenkov will miss the Predators' games against the Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues.

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Volchenkov, 32, is in his first season for the Predators after four seasons with the New Jersey Devils and seven years with the Ottawa Senators. He's averaging 13:38 of ice time and has two points this season.

Several other players were suspended this week as well, including New YorkRangers defenseman John Moore.

The Predators are 6-2-2 this season and tied for first place in the Central division.

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