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NHL suspends Oilers' Ference for three games for illegal check

Published Monday, November 3, 2014 12:51PM EST

Edmonton Oilers' Andrew Ference (21) celebrates the game winning goal against the Anaheim Ducks during overtime NHL hockey action in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday March 28, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

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NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Edmonton Oilers defenceman Andrew Ference was given a three-game suspension by the National Hockey League on Monday for delivering an illegal check to the head of an opponent.

Ference was given a minor penalty for his second-period hit on Vancouver's Zack Kassian in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Canucks. The 35-year-old blue-liner drove his shoulder up into Kassian's head after the Canucks forward made a pass in the Oilers zone.

Ference is a repeat offender and will forfeit US$118,902.45 in salary.

He has been suspended on two other occasions and fined once over his 15-season career.

Ference will be eligible to return for Sunday's road game against the New York Rangers.