Paul Bissonnette's ban reduced

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NEW YORK -- The NHL reduced Phoenix Coyotes forward Paul Bissonnette's suspension for leaving the bench to join an altercation from 10 regular-season games to three Saturday

In a Sept. 13 preseason game against Los Angeles, Bissonnette was assessed a game misconduct under Rule 70.6, an infraction that calls for an automatic suspension for 10 regular-season games. The Phoenix enforcer went after Jordan Nolan after his hit on the Coyotes' Rostislav Klesla.

The NHL said that during the appeal process, video evidence not available to the league at the time of the assessment of the suspension was reviewed. The league said the new evidence, although not conclusive, supported Bissonnette's contention that he took the ice legally to substitute for Max Domi. However, Domi remained on the ice and joined the altercation.

Bissonnette has five goals and 287 penalty minutes in 163 career NHL games. In 28 games last season, he had six assists and 36 penalty minutes.

"As much as I'm looked at as a 'plug', 'grocery stick', 'duster', it doesn't take away from the amount of respect I have for the game," Bissonnette tweeted. "Grateful for the time the NHL took to review my case and saw what my intentions were."

Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press

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