Many expected Shawn Thornton to miss a long time for his attack on Brooks Orpik, and when the Bruins enforcer finally learned his fate Saturday afternoon, that assumption was confirmed.
The NHL announced it had suspended Thornton 15 games for going after the Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman during a Dec. 7 game. Thornton sought out Orpik in the middle of a scrum, pulled him to the ice and hit him with two quick punches. That left Orpik unconscious, and it later was revealed he had suffered a concussion. While Orpik has started skating again, he hasn’t played in a game since the incident.
Thornton will be able to return Jan. 11 against the San Jose Sharks.
See the video explanation from the NHL below.
