Edmonton Oilers defensemen Darnell Nurse fights San Jose Sharks defensemen Roman Polak during the third period at Rexall Place.Perry Nelson
The NHL has suspended Edmonton Oilers defenceman three games for being the aggressor in a fight with Roman Polak of the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.
The NHL announced the suspension Thursday.
Nurse took exception to a hit Polak made on teammate Matt Hendricks and started fighting the Sharks defenceman before he dropped his gloves. Nurse was given a two-minute minor for roughing and a five-minute major penalty for fighting, but not a game misconduct for acting as an aggressor.
Nurse violated the rule that prohibits fighting an unwilling combatant. He will forfeit $13,925 as a result of the suspension and miss games against the Minnesota Wild, Arizona Coyotes and Nashville Predators.
Nurse, who has no previous history of discipline, will be eligible to return Wednesday against St. Louis.