Danny Briere Suspended 2 Games

The Philadelphia Flyers dropped their third game in a row on Monday night, losing 5-4 in Colorado. On Tuesday they learned they will be without forward Danny Briere for the next two games as a result of his hit on Scott Hannan in the second period.

Video of the hit after the jump.

The incident occured after Hannan beat goaltender Ray Emery from the slot to give the Avs a 4-2 lead.

It's not only a late hit, but it appears as if Briere leaves his feet to deliver the blow. Hannan left the game and did not return, while there was no penalty issued on the play.

Travis Hughes from Flyers blog Broad Street Hockey weighs in with the Philadelphia perspective:

It's probably the right call. Briere was obviously frustrated after the goal, but to hit an unaware Hannan like that is worthy of suspension. The only question I'd have is that, if Hannan was fine and completed the rest of the game, the issue probably would have never been brought to the attention of the league. Instead, he was injured, so Briere will sit Wednesday night in New York and Friday at home against Buffalo.

Meanwhile, in Colorado, Adrian Dater of the Denver Post's All Thing Avs Blog is surprised that the NHL handed out any punishment.

Briere will return to the lineup on Saturday when the Flyers travel to Atlanta.