New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - The NHL has rescinded a one-game suspension issued to Canucks forward Alex Burrows.
The move was announced Monday, less than 24 hours after the Flames claimed a 4-2 victory in Game 3 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series against Vancouver.
Burrows was hit with a minor for boarding, minor for instigation, major for fighting and a game misconduct during a line brawl between the teams with 1:25 remaining in regulation.
Under Rule 46.12 governing punishment for a player who is deemed to have instigated a fight in the final five minutes of regulation or in overtime, the penalties Burrows received were consistent with his actions.
Though Rule 46.22 subsequently calls for Burrows to be automatically suspended for one game as a result of his actions, the league decided to erase the suspension based on the fact that the bout with Flames defenseman Kris Russell was "not related to the score, previous incidents in the game or prior games, retaliatory in nature or 'message sending.'"
As a result, Burrows will be eligible to play when Game 4 takes place at the Saddledome on Tuesday.
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