NEW YORK -- The NHL has suspended Anaheim Ducks forward Jean-Francois Jacques for three games after he illegally checked an opponent in the head, the league announced Monday.
He will forfeit US$23,780.49 in pay.
The suspension is a result of Jacques' hit on Columbus forward R.J. Umberger in a game Sunday night. Jacques elbowed Umberger's head after the Blue Jackets forward took a shot on goal at 14:17 of the third period. Jacques was assessed a five-minute major penalty for elbowing on the play.
Jacques is considered a repeat offender. He was suspended on Sept. 24 after illegally coming off the Anaheim bench and trying to start a fight with Vancouver's Mike Duco during a pre-season game. He was suspended for two pre-season games and five regular-season games for that incident.
Jacques will miss games Jan. 10 versus Dallas, Jan. 12 at Calgary and Jan. 13 at Edmonton. He will be eligible to return Jan. 15 at Vancouver.
Ducks defenceman Francois Beauchemin was not suspended or fined for his hit on Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter earlier in the same game. The 31-year-old defenceman was given a 10-minute misconduct on the play.
According to reports, Carter suffered a separated shoulder as a result of the hit.
