San Jose Sharks forward Ryane Clowe was suspended pending a hearing with the NHL Monday. (Mike Munden/Associated Press)
San Jose Sharks forward Ryane Clowe was suspended Saturday by the National Hockey League pending a supplemental disciplinary hearing on Monday.
The incident in question occurred during the Sharks' 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night. Clowe has been given the opportunity to have an in-person hearing at the league's office, which means his suspension can exceed five games, in concordance with the collective bargaining agreement.
At 19:51 of the third period, Clowe left his team's bench to start an altercation and was handed a roughing penalty along with a game misconduct for the infraction.
If the NHL determines the 30-year-old left the bench illegally he'll be handed an automatic 10-game ban without pay, while the team will be fined $10,000 US.
According to rule 70.2, he could still be subject to supplemental discipline for instigating an altercation, even if the league deems his departure from the bench legal.
