New Jersey D Anton Volchenkov suspended 4 games by NHL for hit to head vs Bruins' Marchand

NEWARK, N.J. - New Jersey Devils defenceman Anton Volchenkov has been suspended for four games by the NHL for elbowing Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand in the head.

The league announced the suspension Thursday, roughly 12 hours after the second-period hit left Marchand wobbly in the Bruins' 5-4 win at the Prudential Center. He did not return.

Volchenkov, who had a hearing with the league via telephone on Thursday morning, receiving a 5-minute major and a game misconduct on the play. The suspension will cost him $91,891.88, with the money going to the players' emergency assistance fund.

Brendan Shanahan, the NHL's senior vice-president of hockey operations and player safety, said Volchenkov extended his elbow on the play rather than making a full body check.