Raffi Torres' ban reduced

Updated: July 2, 2012, 2:21 PM ET

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has reduced the suspension of Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres by four games to a total of 21.

TSN earlier reported Bettman's decision.

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Gary Bettman's decision to reduce Raffi Torres' suspension was a wise one on several fronts, writes Pierre LeBrun. Blog

"This type of on-ice conduct cannot and will not be tolerated in the National Hockey League," Bettman said in a statement. "We have seen similar behavior before from Mr. Torres and, particularly given the league's heightened scrutiny on hits to the head, I believe that a very significant penalty is warranted in this case."

Torres was originally suspended for 25 games after a hit to the head of Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa during the teams' first-round playoff series. The Coyotes played 13 playoff games without a suspended Torres, meaning he had a 12-game ban to carry into the 2012-13 season.

That will now be eight games after Bettman rendered his decision following an appeal by the NHL Players' Association on Torres' behalf.

Torres will lose over $170,000 in salary due to the ban. He is ineligible to play in the Coyotes' preseason games.