Neal Suspended For 5 Games For Kneeing Incident
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - James Neal has been suspended for five games for an incident that happened during the Penguins' 3-2 loss against the Boston Bruins Saturday night.
According to an NHL.com report, Neal will sit out the next five games for kneeing Boston's Brad Marchand in the head.
The incident happened in the first period in front of the Bruins' bench. Marchand was already down on the ice as Neal exited the Bruins' defensive zone.
Replays of the incident showed Neal make little to no attempt to avoid Marchand before striking him in the head with his knee.
Neal had a phone hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety Monday morning.
Neal was assessed a two-minute kneeing minor on the play.
During the stoppage of play following the penalty call, Shawn Thornton attacked Brooks Orpik over a clean hit earlier in the game.
Thornton slew footed Orpik, causing him to fall backward to the ice before jumping on top of him and landing at least two punches to the head.
Orpik suffered a concussion and was placed on injured reserve Monday morning.
Thornton is expected to have an in-person hearing with the Department of Player Safety, where it is likely that he will be suspended for more than five games.
You can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sheavedice
RELATED LINKS
More Shea-ved Ice Blog
More Sports News
More Penguins News
Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL
