New York, NY (Sports Network) - The National Hockey League handed down a two-game suspension to San Jose Sharks forward Ryane Clowe on Monday.
Clowe had been suspended indefinitely on Saturday pending a hearing, which was called as a result of his actions at the end of Friday's 2-1 loss to the Blackhawks in Chicago.
The 30-year-old was assessed a minor for roughing and a game misconduct after leaving the bench to start a skirmish with Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw as time expired.
Upon further review of the incident by NHL director of player safety Brendan Shanahan, it was determined that Clowe entered the ice on a legal line change. Failure to have done so would have resulted in an automatic 10-game suspension and $10,000 fine.
However, upon doing so, Clowe skated directly to Shaw, who was not engaged physically with any other player. He then grabbed Shaw and wrestled him to the ice.
Clowe had been fined twice previously for illegal actions, but never suspended. He will forfeit $39,189.18 in salary, which goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
After serving one game of the ban in Saturday's 3-1 loss in Dallas, Clowe will finish the suspension by sitting out Tuesday's home game against Colorado and then be eligible to return on Thursday, when San Jose hosts Detroit.
