Brent Thompson suspended: Islanders assistant to miss next two games

New York Islanders assistant coach Brent Thompson has been suspended for two games due to the "inappropriate and abusive comments he directed at the on-ice officials" in Thursday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Rangers.

The Islanders received two game misconducts Thursday when leaving the ice after Marian Gaborik's game-winning goal: one on forward Kyle Okposo and one on the "team staff" which was apparently intended for Thompson.

Thompson's suspension will force him to miss the Islanders' Mar. 9 meeting with the Washington Capitals and their Mar. 10 game at Pittsburgh.

Thompson played 121 games in the NHL for the Jets, Coyotes and Kings before entering a career in coaching. He was most recently the head coach of the Islanders' AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, in 2011-12 before being promoted to this assistant coaching position.