NHL slaps San Jose Sharks forward Ryane Clowe with a two-game suspension

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The NHL suspended San Jose Sharks forward Ryane Clowe for two games without pay Monday for leaving the bench on a legal line change and starting an altercation with Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw.

Clowe received a roughing minor and game misconduct for leaving the bench on an illegal line change to start an altercation with 8.4 seconds remaining in Chicago's 2-1 win Friday night. That infraction carries an automatic 10-game suspension.

Upon further review, it was determined Clowe came on legally but in doing so skated directly to Shaw, who was not engaged physically with any other player. Clowe then grabbed Shaw and wrestled him to the ice, the league said in a statement.

Clowe will forfeit US$39,189.18 in salary, which will go to the Players'Emergency Assistance Fund. Clowe was suspended pending a hearing and missed San Jose's 3-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Saturday night.

He will also miss the Sharks' game Tuesday versus Colorado and be eligible to return Thursday night versus Detroit.