Bruins D Andrew Ference suspended by league

Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference has been suspended three games by the National Hockey League for a hit on New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh, according to ESPNBoston.com.

Ference leveled McDonagh towards the end of Saturday's overtime game, and was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct.

"I'm obviously going as fast as I can to try to get to the puck and I realized I wasn't going to get there first, he boxed me out and I leaned back, but I was going too fast," Ference told ESPN. "Obviously, it was a dangerous position. I tried to let up, didn't let up enough, fast enough."

Rangers coach John Tortorella also made his feelings known.