The NHL suspended New York Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller for three games Tuesday for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The discipline follows an NHL Player Safety hearing that was held after Sunday’s ejection for spitting on Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty.

Miller, 23, was assessed a match penalty in the first period of the Rangers’ 5-2 win over the Kings.

Miller said Monday that he apologized to Doughty and that the whole incident was accidental.

“I have all the respect in the world for Drew Doughty and what happened was completely accidental,” Miller posted on Twitter. “I would never intend to do something like that on purpose, it goes against everything I am as a person and player. I felt awful about it and I am thankful Drew gave me the opportunity to apologize and explain myself in person after the game.”

Miller has 30 points (six goals, 24 assists) and 39 penalty minutes in 60 games this season. He has 62 points (18 goals, 44 assists) in 195 games over three seasons with the Rangers.

–Field Level Media