The NHL has handed down a five-game suspension of Islander defenseman Thomas Pock for Pock's elbow to the head of Ottawa's Ryan Shannon. Shannon suffered a concussion on the play and is out indefinitely. The suspension will begin immediately and Pock will miss Saturday night's rematch between the teams at the Nassau Coliseum. He will be eligible to return to action on November 26 when the Islanders face Pittsburgh.

Pock expressed regret immediately after Thursday night's game. "I didn’t mean to hit him like that," Pock told reporters. "It is what it is. I’ve got to give him a call later. I talked to him before the game, you know, I’ve known Ryan for a long time now. We played in college against each other. It’s always bad and I feel bad about it. It was a bad play, that’s all I can say about it. I hope he’s all right."

Pock accepted the suspension issued by the league. In a statement released by the Islanders, Pock added, "I understand why there is a need for the League to enforce a strict policy to hits to the head. I have reached out to Ryan to apologize and I hope he makes a quick recovery."

Shannon, 25, had just been called up from the Senators' AHL affiliate in Binghamton. He was playing in his first NHL game of the season when the incident happened. The Darien, Connecticut, native has played in 81 career NHL games with the Ducks and Canucks, scoring seven goals and 24 points.

Isles' GM Garth Snow did not protest the league's decision. "We understand the League's position in respect to cracking down on hits to the head and we agree with their objectives. It was an unfortunate incident and we hope Ryan can return to the ice quickly."

Pock does not have a reputation as a dirty player. In 74 career NHL games, the 26-year-old native of Klagenfurt, Austria, has only 45 penalty minutes including the 15 he was assessed in Thursday's incident. He was given a five minute major and a game misconduct on the play.

Pock will lose $17,943.55 as a result of the suspension. The money will be donated to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.