The Vernon Vipers will be without their leading scorer Liam Coughlin Wednesday night when they visit the Trail Smoke Eaters in B.C. Hockey League action.
Coughlin, an Edmonton Oiler draftee who has 20 goals and 60 points in 52 games, was suspended two games by the league for his hit on Nanaimo defenceman Yanni Kaldis early in Saturday’s 4-1 Viper win over the Clippers at Kal Tire Place.
Coughlin, 20, of Boston, was assessed a five-minute major for checking from behind after he cranked Kaldis, a 19-year-old Montreal product, along the sidewall 3:18 after the national anthem.
Kaldis lay on his back for at least five minutes with trainers from both teams checking his status. He was taken to hospital for observation.
Coughlin is eligible to return to the lineup Saturday night when the Vipers visit the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
