DETROIT ? Jiri Fischer became the first player in NHL history to be suspended for a game in the Stanley Cup Finals on Tuesday.

The Detroit defenseman received a one-game suspension for a cross-check into the mouth of Carolina’s Tommy Westlund in the third period of Game Three. Fischer will miss Game Four on Thursday in Detroit.

“Mr. Fischer’s suspension was based on the fact that he delivered an intentional cross-check to the face of the Carolina player,” said Colin Campbell, NHL Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations. “There was nothing about this event that could be deemed related to the play.”

Detroit management did not appeal the suspension, but strongly voiced its opinion that they do not believe the hit was “intentional.”

The Red Wings, who are up 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, have a day to decide how they will replace Fischer. Veterans Jiri Slegr and Uwe Krupp are available. Slegr has not played in the playoffs this season, while Krupp played in Detroit’s two losses to Vancouver in the first round and then was benched. Krupp was a minus-5 in the two games.

Philadelphia’s Ron Hextall received a suspension during the 1987 Stanley Cup Finals, but did not serve it until the next season.