NHL Director of Player Safety and Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan announced that Bruins forward Brad Marchand will be suspended the full five games (the maximum suspension possible) for a clipping hit on Canucks forward Sami Salo on Saturday afternoon.
Marchand hit Salo at what appeared to be just above the knees, sending Salo sprawling and landing on his head. Salo left the game with a concussion and did not practice with the team in Florida yesterday.
Marchand was charged with a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct at the time of the call. The Bruins lost the game 4-3.
Marchand will miss games Jan. 10 vs. Winnipeg, Jan. 12 vs. Montreal, Jan. 14 at Carolina, Jan. 16 at Florida and Jan. 17 at Tampa Bay. He will be eligible to return against the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 19. Earlier this season, Marchand was fined for slew-footing, and Shanahan fined him $2,500 for it.
Bruins are set to play the Winnipeg Jets tomorrow at 7 p.m.
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