Blue Jackets' Jared Boll suspended three games for hit to head

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As expected, Columbus Blue Jackets ruffian Jared Boll was suspended Thursday when the NHL slapped him for an illegal hit to the head.

NHL disciplinarians ordered Boll to miss the Jackets' next three games and forfeit $27,419 in salary. Boll caught the Anaheim Ducks' Patrick Maroon with his left shoulder.

Here's the NHL's reasoning.

Boll didn't receive a penalty on the play. Maroon was slow to get up but remained in the game, according to Canada's CBC Sports .

Boll and the NHL conferred by telephone, an indication his punishment would be fewer than five games. It's not Boll's first go-round with the lords of discipline. He was suspended one game in 2008 for instigating a fight and fined $2,500 in 2012 for an illegal hit.

Career statistics show Boll has more than 1,100 penalty minutes in 487 games. Boll also got into a fight against the Ducks' Clayton Stoner. The uppercut he delivered shows why opponents tend to avoid Boll until necessary.

Money forfeited by suspended players goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Contributing: Kirstie Chiappelli

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