Bettman upholds 15-game suspension assessed to Bruins forward Thornton

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Pittsburgh Penguins\' Tanner Glass, right, prepares to check Boston Bruins\' Shawn Thornton (22) into the boards during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has upheld the 15-game suspension that was assessed to Thornton for his actions in a game against Pittsburgh earlier this month.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Gene J. Puskar

NEW YORK, N.Y. – NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has upheld the 15-game suspension that was assessed to Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton for his actions in a game against Pittsburgh earlier this month.

Thornton, who appealed the ban last week, was suspended for punching and injuring an unsuspecting opponent in a game at Boston on Dec. 7. He slew-footed Penguins defenceman Brooks Orpik to the ice and landed gloved punches to his head.

Orpik was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion.

Bettman heard Thornton’s appeal at a hearing in New York last Friday. The commissioner’s decision was announced Tuesday.

Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, Thornton will forfeit US$84,615.45.

Thornton and the NHL Players’ Association could still elect to appeal to a neutral arbitrator.

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