Sports

Jackets' Foligno Suspended 3 Games For Hit On Bellemare

November 11, 2019 / 3:18 PM MST / CBS Colorado

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The NHL has suspended Columbus forward Nick Foligno for three games for a hit that leveled Colorado Avalanche forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. The Department of Player Safety announced the penalty for the Blue Jackets captain on Monday.

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 21: Nick Foligno #71 of the Columbus Blue Jackets waits for a puck drop against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 21, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jackets defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Foligno dropped Bellemare with the open-ice hit with his elbow to Bellemare's jaw at 17:15 of the second period Saturday. Foligno said he hadn't intended to hurt Bellemare and "felt sick to my stomach when I saw that I hit him in the head."

Foligno was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for charging.

DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 18: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare #41 of the Vegas Golden Knights fights for the puck against Samuel Girard #49 of the Colorado Avalanche in the first period at the Pepsi Center on February 18, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 07: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare #41 of the Colorado Avalanche playts the Nashville Predators in the first period at the Pepsi Center on November 07, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

He said he traded text messages with Bellemare after the game to make sure he was OK.

The NHL says the suspension will cost Foligno $88,709.67.