NHL Suspends Jets’ Boschman for Incident Involving Sandstrom

Winnipeg Jet forward Laurie Boschman was suspended for eight games for a Feb. 8 high-sticking incident involving Tomas Sandstrom of the Kings.

The NHL announced the suspension Friday after a hearing Thursday in Toronto. The suspension will begin seven days from the date of the decision, 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,” Brian O’Neill, NHL executive vice president, 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 at the Forum. The Jets won, 5-1.