Bruins tough guy Shawn Thornton has decided to appeal his 15-game suspension for punching and injuring unsuspecting Penguins defenceman Brooks Orpik. Jaire Alexander Packers Jersey . Thorntons agent, Anton Thun, confirmed in an email that his client was appealing. The NHL Players Association announced it had informed the league of that plan before the 48-hour deadline to do so passed. As laid out in the collective bargaining agreement, the appeal first goes to commissioner Gary Bettman. If Bettman upholds the suspension, Thornton and the NHLPA can then elect to appeal to a neutral arbitrator because it is for six or more games. Buffalo Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta is the only player to use this appeals process under the new CBA, and no player has gone to the neutral arbitrator. Bettman upheld Kaletas 10-game suspension for an illegal hit on Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Jack Johnson, issuing a 17-page decision. Thornton got 15 games for slew-footing Orpik to the ice and landing gloved punches to his head during a game Dec. 7. The Pittsburgh defenceman was knocked unconscious and has not played since because of a concussion. Vice-president of player safety Brendan Shanahan said it was not a spontaneous action by Thornton because he tried to confront Orpik earlier after Orpik injured Bruins winger Loui Eriksson with a hit. Appearing on TSN Drive with Dave Naylor on TSN 1050, Thun said he could not talk about the case before it was presented in the appeal hearing but did mention he felt there was more than one reason for Thornton to appeal his suspension. "We believe there are a variety of reasons to appeal it and part of it is just clarity… The clarity is not just Shawn but for the other players in the league." Thun was also asked if he was aware of when the appeal hearing will take place with Bettman. "To be the best of my knowledge the meeting will be later this week, Thursday and Friday have been thrown around but at this point in time it hasnt been confirmed." Thornton had not been fined or suspended before. Several general managers and coaches around the NHL have spoken in support of Thorntons character in his career before this incident. The Oshawa, Ont., native apologized for his actions after the game. Tramon Williams Jersey . -- Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera has a broken bone below his right eye after being struck by a bad-hop grounder, sidelining the star slugger for at least a week with opening day on deck. Josh Jackson Jersey .Y. - The NFL has fined Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch $20,000 for making an obscene gesture during last Sundays NFC championship game, a person with knowledge of the fine told The Associated Press on Thursday. http://www.shoptheofficialpackers.com/Elite-Jk-Scott-Packers-Jersey/ . -- Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf has been suspended two games for his hit from behind on Kevan Miller of the Bruins.The Ottawa Senators open up a home-and-home set with the Montreal Canadiens tonight. The game will be streamed live on the Senators website and you can follow all the action on TSN Radio 1200 in Ottawa at 5:30pm et and TSN Radio 690 in Montreal at 6pm et. The Senators look to rebound from a 2-1 loss to the Jets in Winnipeg on Tuesday. Buddy Robinson scored the lone goal for the Senators while Robin Lehner and Craig Anderson gave up one goal each. The Canadiens are coming off a 3-1 win over the Blackhawks in Chicago on Wednesday with Rene Bourque, Nathan Beaulieu and Michael Bournival providing the offence and Carey Price stopping 31 shots for the win. Carey Price, Francis Bouillon, Michael Bournival, Mike Weaver, Jiri Sekac,, Andrei Markov and Brandon Prust will not be in the Canadiens lineup. Josh Jackson Packers Jersey. Peter Budaj will get the start for the Canadiens tonight while Price will be in net on Saturday. The two teams meet again on Saturday in Montreal to wrap up the preseason. Senators Projected Lines MacArthur - Turris - Stone Ryan - Zibanejad - Chiasson Michalek - Legwand - Neil Hoffman - Lazar - Condra Karlsson - Cowen Phillips - Ceci Boroweicki - Gryba Lehner (starts) Anderson Canadiens Projected Lines Pacioretty - Desharnais - Parenteau Bourque - De La Rose - Thomas Galchenyuk - Plekanec - Gallagher Moen - Malhotra - Weise Emelin - Subban Beaulieu - Gilbert Tinordi - Deitz Budaj (starts) Tokarski White NFL Jerseys Cheap Youth NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys 2020 Stitched NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Autographed Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Discount Jerseys ' ' '