New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - The National Hockey League issued a two- game suspension to Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Bollig on Saturday.
Bollig was given the ban after being assessed a minor for boarding Minnesota defenseman Keith Ballard with 2:47 remaining in the second period of the Wild's 4-2 victory in Game 4 of their Western semifinal.
Ballard, who left the game and did not return, has endured a history of concussions, the latest of which cost him seven games early in the regular season. He had returned to the lineup in Game 3 after missing the final 14 games of the regular season and nine postseason tilts with a pulled groin muscle.
Heading into the pivotal Game 5, the Blackhawks will be without some grit as Bollig and Andrew Shaw will be sidelined.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.