Rasmus Andersson four-game suspension upheld by the commissioner

National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman has upheld the four-game suspension for Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson. The defenseman has already sat out for the Flames’ game against the Detroit Red Wings and will have to sit out the team’s next three games. The Flames are set to play the New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, and Edmonton Oilers for their next three games.

Andersson was suspended following his illegal hit on Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine during the Friday night game between the two teams. Immediately following the suspension, the NHLPA files an appeal on behalf of the player. Andersson and Bettman had an in-person hearing in which the commissioner deemed the suspension was fair and upheld the ruling.

The incident occurred in the dying seconds of the game when Laine was making an attempt to score on the Flames’ empty net. As he was skating up the middle of the ice Andersson made an illegal hit to the head in an attempt to prevent Laine from scoring into the empty net. Andersson was given a five minute major penalty right away and the Blue Jackets ended up winning the game 3-1.

Not surprisingly, Blue Jackets’ head coach Pascal Vincent thought the hit should lead to further discipline.

“I see a hit to the head and (Andersson) lifting his feet. I saw the replay,” said Vincent. “That’s illegal in my book. So we’ll let the NHL deal with it.”

This is the first suspension of Andersson’s career so he had a chance to get it overturned based on him not being a repeat offender. He isn’t generally regarded as a punishing hitter but can hold his own in the physicality area of the game.

This season, Andersson has scored one goal and three points in five games with the Flames. The team has a record of 2-3-1 at this early point in the season.