Calgary Flames defenceman Rasmus Andersson had the appeal of his four-game suspension rejected by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Tuesday.
Andersson was given the suspension for charging Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine in the dying seconds of a game in Columbus on Oct. 20.
The incident occurred with just five seconds left in the game. Andersson was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for elbowing on the play.
“Instead of remaining low to deliver his check through Mr. Laine’s core, Mr. Andersson instead chose to launch upwards in delivering the hit, almost ensuring contact with the head,” Bettman said in a written statement.
“It also bears noting that given the circumstances of the game at the time of this play, where the game was seconds from ending and was out of reach for Calgary, Mr. Andersson’s hit was completely unnecessary, making it also irresponsible.”
The Flames have only played one game since the incident, which leaves Andersson unavailable for the next three, ruling him out of Sunday’s Heritage Classic in Edmonton against the Oilers.