New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Ottawa Senators defenseman Jared Cowen has been suspended for two games by the NHL for an illegal check to the head of Buffalo Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons on Tuesday night.
Under the suspension, which was announced Wednesday, Cowen will forfeit more than $31,000 in salary.
The check came late in the third period after Girgensons received a long pass just over the blue line in the Ottawa zone.
Cowen wasn't penalized after driving his elbow into Girgensons' head, but the NHL said the check rose to the level of supplemental discipline because Cowen made the head the main point of contact after taking an improper angle of approach.
It was the first time in 121 career NHL games Cowen was fined or suspended.
Girgensons had a big game. He scored Buffalo's only goal in regulation and won the game in the 10th round of a shootout.
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