NEW YORK — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has upheld the 15-game suspension of Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton.

Thornton appealed the ban last week after he was sanctioned for punching and injuring an unsuspecting opponent against Pittsburgh on Dec. 7. He knocked Brooks Orpik’s feet from under him and landed gloved punches to his head.

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Boston Bruins right wing Shawn Thornton looks on during a break in the action in a game the Columbus Blue Jackets in Boston on Nov. 30, 2013.
Boston Bruins right wing Shawn Thornton looks on during a break in the action in a game the Columbus Blue Jackets in Boston on Nov. 30, 2013. The Associated Press
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Orpik was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion.

Bettman heard Thornton’s appeal at a hearing in New York last Friday. The commissioner’s decision was announced Tuesday.

Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, Thornton will forfeit $84,615.45. Thornton and the NHL Players’ Association could still elect to appeal to a neutral arbitrator.

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