Belfast Giants coach Dave Whistle will have to sit in the stands for his side's opening two games of the season.

Whistle has been handed a two-match ban as a result of an incident in the play-off game against London Knights on 24 March.

Arising from the same match, Paxton Schulte has been given a one-match suspension.

Whistle will thus be prevented from sitting in his normal quarters for Sunday's away Challenge Cup game against the Sheffield Steelers and Thursday's encounter against the Scottish Eagles.

Schulte is also ruled out of Sunday's match.