"Superstar center Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks was suspended two games by the NHL on Friday for his hit to the head of St. Louis Blues center David Perron.

Thornton will miss the Sharks' games against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday and Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday and is eligible to return Thursday against the New York Islanders. He will forfeit $77,419.36 in salary, with the money going to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Thornton had an appeal hearing with commissioner Gary Bettman at 11 a.m. ET Saturday, and the suspension was upheld, multiple sources told ESPN.com."