Flyers Notes: Rinaldo gets 4-game ban for hit to head

SUNRISE, Fla. - Flyers winger Zac Rinaldo received a four-game suspension from the NHL on Monday and will miss the rest of the regular season.

Rinaldo was suspended for an illegal check to the head of Buffalo defenseman Chad Ruhwedel in the third period of a 5-2 victory Sunday at the Wells Fargo Center.

"While we view the four-game suspension to Zac as harsh, we respect the league's decision," general manager Paul Holmgren said.

With Rinaldo out of the lineup, coach Craig Berube will reinsert Steve Downie or Tye McGinn in Florida on Tuesday. Downie has missed the last eight games with a head injury but appears ready to play.

Rinaldo had been showing more discipline lately and had been promoted to the third line.

"It's just unfortunate that it has to be for the remainder of the regular season. I was in a good groove, I was feeling good," said Rinaldo, who scored his second goal of the season and had four penalties in Sunday's win.

As for the illegal check, Rinaldo said it was "just one of those hits that kind of slipped away from me. It was bad timing and a little vulnerability on his side of the puck, too. My bad and his bad at the same time."

Rinaldo will forfeit his salary for the four suspended games: $15,384. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.