PWHL suspends Sirens forward Girard 4 games for leaving bench during altercation

The Professional Women's Hockey League has suspended New York Sirens forward Taylor Girard for four games for leaving the players' bench to join an altercation on the ice.

The incident happened at the end of New York's 2-1 win over the Montreal Victoire on Sunday in Washington.

The first player to leave the bench to start or join an altercation is given an automatic four-game ban, according to the PWHL's rulebook.

Girard has five goals and an assist in 13 games with the Sirens this season.

She is eligible to return March 5 against the visiting Boston Fleet.