Bruins tough guy Shawn Thornton has been suspended 15 games for punching and injuring unsuspecting Penguins defenceman Brooks Orpik, which the NHL considered an "act of retribution." Thornton went after Orpik during a stoppage in play a week ago, slew-footing him to the ice and punching him twice in the head. Orpik suffered a concussion and was taken off the ice on a stretcher and transported to the hospital. Earlier, Orpik hit Boston winger Loui Eriksson, knocking him out of the game with a concussion. NHL vice president of player safety Brendan Shanahan pointed to the two-minute roughing penalty Thornton received for trying to get Orpik to fight as a sign of premeditation. "This cannot be described as a hockey play that went bad, nor do we consider this a spontaneous reaction to an incident that just occurred," Shanahan said in the video announcing the longest regular-season suspension during his tenure as the leagues disciplinarian. "It is our view that this was an act of retribution for an incident that occurred earlier in the game, the result of this action by Thornton was a serious injury to Orpik." Orpik has not played since the game, which was Dec. 7 at TD Garden in Boston, and is on injured reserve. He is still experiencing concussion-like symptoms and took part in a light skating session for the first time Friday. Speaking to reporters at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit before his teams game against the Red Wings, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said he was not waiting for the NHLs ruling to be satisfied with what happened. "Hes a pretty honest hockey player who made a mistake," Bylsma said of Thornton. " 1/8Shanahan 3/8 made a ruling, I think, that says volumes about getting that kind of play out of the game." Thornton had already served three games of this ban before the Bruins 6-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks Saturday night. He is eligible to return Jan. 11 when the Bruins face the San Jose Sharks. Boston coach Claude Julien wouldnt comment on the suspension. "I said what I had to say when it happened," he said. "The league made a decision and I move on with the team." Prior to the game, Julien had praised Thorntons leadership. "We take a lot of pride in making sure that everybody knows theyre important on our team, and Shawns been a real good player for us," he said. "Him missing in our lineup, weve lost a little bit of his leadership. Weve lost his presence as far as what his line brings to us." Most of the Bruins politely declined comment. "If that is how the league is approaching it, thats their decision," said forward Brad Marchand. "We will live with it." The suspension comes after Thorntons in-person hearing with the department of player safety Friday in New York. Thorntons agent, Anton Thun, said in an email to The Canadian Press that no decision had been made whether to appeal the suspension. It is the only one longer than 10 games that Shanahan has given since taking this position in June of 2011. "I am aware of todays ruling by the NHL department of player safety," Thornton said in a statement released by the team. "I will be consulting with the Bruins, my representation and the NHLPA about next steps, and will be in a position to address the matter publicly after speaking with those parties." Thornton forfeits US$84,615.45 in salary as a result of the suspension, his first disciplinary action during his NHL career. "We respect the process including the ability to attend and present our case in person," Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said in a statement. "At this time, we will decline comment until the process is complete and Shawn has exhausted all rights available to him." Penguins forward James Neal was suspended for five games earlier this week for kneeing Brad Marchand in the head during the same game. The 36-year-old from Oshawa, Ont., has three goals and 41 penalty minutes in 27 games this season. Sekou Doumbouya Jersey . I suppose Sternberg has earned the right to speak out since his Rays, despite one of the lowest payrolls in the Majors at $58 million, are entering the final weekend of the regular season holding down the first Wild Card spot in the American League, one game ahead of Cleveland and two up on Texas. Bill Laimbeer Jersey . Sterling was banned for life and fined US$2.5 million by the NBA on Tuesday for racist comments the league says he made in a recorded conversation. Nash, who plays for the rival L.A. Lakers, spoke as a representative of current NBA players at a press conference assembled by Sacramento mayor and National Basketball Players Association adviser Kevin Johnson. https://www.cheappistonsonline.com/516y-...ey-pistons.html. CSKA received the heavier punishment of playing its next European home game behind closed doors, after its supporters displayed racist and far-right symbols in the Czech Republic during a 2-1 loss to Viktoria Plzen on Dec. Thon Maker Jersey . Leaning forward with both hands on his knees, Buffon appeared to be resting or somehow trying to withstand the rain. Or perhaps the 36-year-old goalkeeper and Italy captain was reflecting on this: He is only the third player in history to be part of five World Cup squads, along with Germany great Lothar Matthaus and former Mexico goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal. Mateen Cleaves Jersey . Instead, Nonis and Kessel were sorting through the fallout of a wild melee with the Buffalo Sabres, one that saw Kessel suspended for the duration of the pre-season.Carlos Carvalhal praised Sheffield Wednesdays performance after his side became the first club to beat Huddersfield at the John Smiths Stadium this season. A Fernando Forestieri penalty was enough to hand Wednesday all three points in a hard-fought 1-0 win on Sunday.Victory moves Carvalhals side up to seventh in the Sky Bet Championship table, while they also denied fellow Yorkshire club Huddersfield the opportunity to return to the top. When we play at the home of a team that are doing really well, where theyve won all their games [this season], we cant say this is a normal win, said Carvalhal. Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday We know why we won. We were doing well in the last six or seven games even if we lost one or two.My players discovered the soul of the team. We are playing compact and we understand what we must do because we know the competition.We studied Huddersfield, the dynamic that they have and we blocked them very well. Fernando Forestieri scored from the penalty spot My players were fantastic, great teamwork and this is the way to the future.ddddddddddddAlthough Huddersfield enjoyed more of the ball, it was Wednesday who created the greater number of clear-cut chances.The visitors hit the woodwork twice, with Forestieri going close with a superb dink over the keeper which hit the post. Fernando Forestieri celebrates after scoring the winner against Huddersfield With this win we have more confidence. Im so happy for the players, said Forestieri.We are lucky but I was unlucky before when I hit the post in a one-on-one and then I took my second chance.But it is important that we won, and thats more important than anything. Fernando Forestieri opens the scoring from the penalty spot Meanwhile, Huddersfield boss David Wagner had no complaints after they were unable to break down a stubborn Owls defence.Its a disappointing result but I dont have any complaints about the performance, the effort, the attitude, the fighting attitude, said Wagner.If two strong sides play against each other then its even - its tight like it was today.One situation decided the game and unfortunately it was a situation for Sheffield Wednesday.I can accept this result because we performed good - not outstanding but good. This is Sheffield Wednesday, one of the top teams in this division, and we are able to be competitive against them.You can watch Liverpool v Man Utd, plus Englands tour of Bangladesh and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy six months at half price! Also See: Huddersfield 0-1 Sheff Wed report Huddersfield 0-1 Sheff Wed recap Championship video Live on Sky ' ' '