Blue Jackets’ Boll banned for Maroon head shot

Scott Hartnell completed his eighth career hat trick on an empty netter to secure a 5-3 victory for the Columbus Blue Jackets over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jared Boll was suspended three games Thursday by the NHL’s department of player safety.

Boll delivered an illegal check to the head of Anaheim Ducks forward Patrick Maroon during the second period of the Jackets’ 5-3 victory at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday.

Based on his average annual salary, Boll will forfeit $27,419.34. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

No penalty was assessed on the play, and Maroon remained in the game.

Clayton Stoner came to Maroon’s defence later in the period, challenging Boll to a fight, but Boll defeated Stoner decisively.

Boll has been suspended once before — back in October 2008, when he was given an automatic one-game ban for instigating a fight in the final five minutes of a game — and was fined $2,500 on Feb. 1, 2012 for delivering a head shot to San Jose’s Joe Thornton.

Because the hearing was conducted by phone, Boll’s suspension could not have exceeded five games.

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