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Panik suspended two games for boarding Alzner

Karl Alzner, Richard Panik

Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner (27) lays on the ice after he was hit by Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Richard Panik (71), of Slovakia, in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, in Washington. Panik received a five-minute penalty for boarding, and Washington Capitals right wing Alex Ovechkin scored two goals on that power play. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

AP

Tampa Bay forward Richard Panik has been suspended two games for boarding Washington’s Karl Alzner on Tuesday night, the NHL has announced.

At 16:31 of the second period, Panik hit Alzner in the neutral zone, driving him into the boards. Alzner was temporarily shaken up, but returned in the third period while Panik was assessed a five-minute boarding major on the play.

“Just as Alzner dumps the puck and while in a very vulnerable position at a dangerous distance from the boards, Panik checks him in the numbers, causing a violent collision with the boards,” the NHL’s Department of Player Safety explained.

Here’s the video:

Mitigating factors for the suspension length included Alzner going uninjured on the play, and Panik’s clean history with regards to player discipline.

Panik will now miss Tampa Bay’s next two games -- Thursday against Detroit, Saturday vs. New Jersey -- eligible to return to the lineup on Sunday (also against the Red Wings.) Additionally, Panik will forfeit $7,589.74 in salary to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.