Florida Panthers rookie Eric Selleck suspended 2 games without pay for starting late fight

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Florida Panthers rookie Eric Selleck was suspended for two games without pay for instigating a fight late in his NHL debut against Carolina.

The NHL announced the suspension Wednesday.

Selleck came off the bench to fight Carolina forward Kevin Westgarth with 2:58 left in the Panthers' 4-1 win Tuesday night.

That triggered an automatic one-game suspension for instigating a fight in the last five minutes. The second game was added for leaving the bench during a legal line change.

Westgarth, who was not engaged with any other player, dropped Selleck with two punches.

Selleck will forfeit $5,945.94 and will sit out games at the New York Rangers on Thursday night and at New Jersey on Saturday. He is eligible to return Sunday at the New York Islanders.