Senators defenceman Cowen suspended three games for late hit on Jokinen

OTTAWA (CP) — Jared Cowen says he has no intention of changing his game despite being handed a three-game ban for his hit on Florida’s Jussi Jokinen.

The suspension doled out by the NHL on Monday comes at a most unfortunate time for the Ottawa Senators as they head out on a five-game western road trip. They will be without the defenceman as they face Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose. Cowen said he was surprised at the length of the suspension.

“I’m disappointed. Three games is a bit much,’’ he said. “I’m trying to be a physical player out there and do my job. If I don’t do that I’m not in the lineup. To do that, you’ve got to play on the edge.

“That’s what I was doing. I didn’t hurt anyone and I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. It’s a bit over the top but there’s nothing I can do about it.’’

The hit in question occurred at 4:38 of the second period of Ottawa’s 4-1 home win over the Panthers on Saturday. Jokinen had skated into the Senators zone and completed a pass to a teammate when he was hit by Cowen. In a video on the NHL website, the league said the lateness of the hit plus the fact that Cowen’s shoulder makes contact with Jokinen’s head were factors in the suspension that will cost Cowen US$113,414.64 in salary.