NHL suspends Bruins' Paille four games

Boston Bruins forward Daniel Paille was suspended four games Friday by the NHL for a hit to the head of Dallas Stars forward Raymond Sawada during Thursday's game.

He will forfeit $23,118.28 in salary.

Sawada was carrying the puck into the Bruins' zone midway through the second period when Paille hit him. Sawada left the ice under his own power but did not return to the game. Paille was given a five-minute penalty for an illegal hit to the head, as well as a game misconduct.

"Paille delivered a lateral hit where the principal point of contact was his opponent's head," said Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Mike Murphy. "Additionally, the injury suffered by the Dallas player was a factor in this decision."


The incident occurred at 8:39 of the second period and Paille was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct under Rule 48 for Illegal Check to the Head.

This is the fourth suspension under Rule 48 handed down this season. Phoenix Coyotes forward Shane Doan was suspended three games Oct. 17 for a head check against Anaheim's Dan Sexton. San Jose's Joe Thornton was handed a two-game ban Nov. 4 for striking the head of David Perron of the St. Louis Blues. On Dec. 8, Matt Martin of the New York Islanders was handed a two-game suspension for a check to the head of Vern Fiddler of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Paille's fine is based on his average annual salary and is calculated under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund. He will miss the Bruins next four games -- Feb. 5 vs. San Jose, Feb. 9 vs. Montreal, Feb. 11 vs. Detroit and Feb. 13 at Detroit. He is eligible to return Feb. 15 vs. Toronto.

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