Thornton banned for two games for hit to Perron's head
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}NEW YORK (Reuters) - San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton was suspended for two games by the National Hockey League on Friday after he was ejected from Thursday's game against St. Louis for an illegal hit on David Perron.
Thornton is eligible to return on November 11 against the New York Islanders. He will forfeit $77,419 in salary, with the money going to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
The Sharks said they were disappointed with the suspension, arguing Thornton had merely collided with Perron while returning to the ice.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We strongly disagree with the two-game suspension," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said on the team's website (http://sharks.nhl.com).
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)