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The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Keith Aulie has been suspended two games for this hit on Matt Stajan:
NEW YORK – Edmonton Oilers defenseman Keith Aulie has been suspended for two games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of Calgary Flames forward Matt Stajan during NHL Game No. 555 in Calgary on Wednesday, Dec. 31, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.
The incident occurred at 19:05 of the first period. Aulie was assessed a match penalty.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Aulie will forfeit $8,602.16. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
It was a cheap shot by Aulie and one that results in a headshot against every player in the league save for Zdeno Chara. Given Player Safety's history with headshots and the criteria used to evaluate each situation, two games is their precedent and isn't a surprise.
Fortunately for the Oilers, no one will notice that Aulie has been suspended for two games.