Bruins forward Shawn Thornton was definitely getting punished for the assault on Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik that left him knocked out and on his way out of the rink in a stretcher. After missing the standard three games for getting hit with a match penalty, Thornton will be sitting out a bit longer for with his 15-game suspension. This suspension will cost Thronton $84,615.45.
Although it was an unsportsmanlike move, Thonton did express his regret over what he'd done: "It's hard for me to talk about right now. I can't say I'm sorry enough. I'm sure I'll be criticized, but it's true. I felt awful. It wasn't my intention. I know Brooksie. I've gotten to know him the last seven years here. I skated with him during the lockout. I texted him a couple of times. It's not what I wanted to see or anyone to see." Orpik suffered a concussion from the attack and said he didn't remember anything from the game.
It looks like Thronton got off light with the suspension, though. Does 15 games sound fair?
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[via ESPN]