Brent Burns has been suspended two games by the NHL for butt-ending Florida's Steve Bernier in the face during a game Friday night.
Burns received a game misconduct and a fighting major as the buzzer sounded to end the game, which Minnesota lost 2-1. Burns claimed the butt-end was unintentional.
"I feel pretty bad that it happened," Burns told the Pioneer Press following the Wild's practice Saturday in Tampa. "Obviously there was no intent."
"It's one of those things," he said, "but I've got to be responsible for my stick."
Burns added he has attempted to get in touch with Bernier via text and phone to apologize.
"I don't think anybody feels worse about the situation than Brent himself," general manager Chuck Fletcher tells the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "You watch the play, there's clearly no intent on Brent's part to injure the player.
"All of us hope Steve Bernier has a speedy recovery, but for those of us that know Brent and watched him play, he's not that type of player. He's not a dirty player."
Reports indicate Bernier suffered a possible broken left cheekbone as a result of the butt-end and will require surgery.
Burns will forfeit US$38,172.04 under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
He is eligible to return for Friday's game at Detroit.
Video courtesy FS Panthers and FS Wild