Kings' Lizotte suspended 1 game for cross-checking Morrissey's face

Los Angeles Kings forward Blake Lizotte was suspended one game for cross-checking Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced.

Lizotte was ejected from Saturday's contest after catching Morrissey in the face.

Morrissey was able to return to the game but said he needed 17-18 stitches, according to The Winnipeg News' Mike McIntyre.

"It was a careless play," Morrissey said postgame. "I thought we were going to go, and I took a cross-check to the chin. It could have been my teeth, so thankfully not. "

Jets head coach Rick Bowness also criticized the play.

"It's an uncalled-for cross-check into a guy's face," Bowness said, per The Athletic's Murat Ates. "The league's got to take a really good look at that one."

Boston Bruins forward A.J. Greer was suspended one game Friday for a similar infraction when he cross-checked Montreal Canadiens forward Mike Hoffman in the face.

This is the first time Lizotte has been suspended or fined in his five-year NHL career.