Laurie Boschman Penalized by NHL for High-Sticking

The NHL suspended Winnipeg Jets forward Laurie Boschman for eight games for a high-sticking incident involving Tomas Sandstrom of the Kings last week.

The suspension was announced today after a hearing in Toronto on Thursday. It will take effect seven days from the date of the decision, or on Feb. 23, unless the club notifies the league in 24 hours that it waives the period of appeal.

“In considering this incident, it is clear that Boschman deliberately struck Sandstrom in the facial area out of retaliation,” NHL Executive Vice President Brian O’Neill said in a statement.

“He did so from behind at a time when Sandstrom was unable to protect himself. There can be no excuse for a player taking matters into one’s own hands in this manner.”

Boschman was called for a five-minute major for high-sticking Sandstrom with 1:22 left in the game on Feb. 8 on the Kings’ home ice in Inglewood. The Jets won 5-1.