Neither player had been suspended previously. The last suspension handed down by the league’s department of player safety was on Nov. 3 to Tom Gilbert.
Ottawa's Mark Borowiecki and Dallas' Jamie Oleksiak were each given two-game suspension's by the NHL's Department of Player safety for hits delivered on Saturday.
Borowiecki was suspended for his hit from behind on L.A. Kings forward Tyler Toffoli.
The Senators defenseman received a five minute major for boarding for the hit.
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Toffoli briefly left the game, but did return.
“I’m never looking to hurt people, but I need to play hard,” Borowiecki told the Ottawa Sun post-game. “I got a little over-excited and that was the case.
“It happens so quick. I never want to put anyone in a bad spot. You guys know I play the game hard. If you look at anyone who plays my brand of hockey, there is going to be a couple of those every season.”
The suspension will cost the 27-year-old $12,222.22 in salary.
Borowiecki, who leads the NHL in hits (130), has one assist in 28 games this season.
Meanwhile Oleksiak was suspended forillegal check to the head of Flyers’ Chris VandeVelde. The hit occurred near the midway mark of the third period of Philly’s 4-2 win. The Stars' blue liner was not penalized for the hit.
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Oleksiak has three goals and an assist in 13 games this season.
Borowiecki and Oleksiak had never been suspended previously. The last suspension handed down by the league’s department of player safety was on Nov. 3 when Kings’ defenseman Tom Gilbert got a three-game suspension for his hit on Nick Ritchie.
