The Fan Hub

Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference received a three-game suspension for his boarding call on Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh in overtime of the Rangers’ 3-2 win on Saturday afternoon. With both players racing to play a puck that had gone into the corner, McDonagh had position in front of Ference, who then pushed McDonagh in the back just a few feet from the boards, resulting in McDonagh falling to his knees and hitting the boards face-first at a high speed (video available above). After remaining on the ice for several moments, McDonagh was able to skate off under his own power, while Ference was assessed a 5 minute major penalty for charging and a game misconduct, which led to the game-winning power play goal by Marian Gaborik with 3.6 seconds remaining in overtime.

Ference, who admitted after the game that it was a reckless and dangerous hit that he regretted, received the suspension from NHL discipline czar Brendan Shanahan just prior to the Bruins’ 6-5 shootout win over the Flyers on Sunday. He will be eligible to return on Thursday, February 2 against Carolina.