In response to the nine-game suspension handed down by the National Hockey League as a result of actions in last night's Nashville-Buffalo game, Nashville Predators center Scott Nichol issued the following statement:

Nashville Predators forward Scott Nichol has been suspended for nine games, without pay, for a blind-side punch to the head of Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jaroslav Spacek during NHL Game #512 at Nashville, Dec. 21.