Dallas Stars defenseman Jason Demers has been suspended two games for elbowing Nick Bonino of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The play happened with just over three minutes to play in the third period of Thursday night’s game. Demers was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for elbowing by referees Francis Charron and Dean Morton.
Demers was apologetic after the game.
“I just mistimed it. I hope he’s all right,” Demers said. “I just tried to counter-hit, and it was a little bit too early. It wasn’t malicious.”
Stars coach Lindy Ruff spoke about the hit, but wasn’t expecting supplemental discipline.
“The Demers play was just reaction to getting hit,” Ruff said. “I didn’t find anything bad about it.”
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety felt otherwise. Here’s the NHL’s official ruling:
Demers will forfeit $36,559.14 of salary based on the terms of the CBA. This is the first suspension for Demers.
