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Canucks' Alex Edler gets 3-game suspension for check to head of Sharks' Tomas Hertl

Associated Press
Published | Updated

San Jose Sharks' Tomas Hertl, left, of the Czech Republic, loses his helmet as he collides with Vancouver Canucks' Alexander Edler, of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck) (The Associated Press)

San Jose Sharks' Tomas Hertl (48), of the Czech Republic, loses his helmet as he collides with Vancouver Canucks' Alexander Edler, of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck) (The Associated Press)

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alex Edler has been suspended three games for an illegal check to the head of San Jose Sharks forward Tomas Hertl.

The NHL made the announcement on Friday. The hit came late in the second period of Vancouver's 4-1 loss to San Jose on Thursday night.

Edler popped Hertl's helmet off as the 19-year-old was reaching for the puck. There was no penalty called on the play.

Edler was suspended for charging in March and is considered a repeat offender. He'll forfeit $182,926 in salary, which goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.