Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton had an in-person hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Friday for an incident with Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Brooks Orpik last Saturday at TD Garden. Browns T-Shirts . The Department of Player Safety tweeted on Friday that the league will announce its decision on Saturday. Thornton was offered the opportunity for an in-person hearing as required by provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for any suspension that can exceed five games. At 11:06 of the first period in Saturdays contest, Thornton confronted Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik in a scrum, pulling him to the ice and throwing punches. Orpik was removed from the ice on a stretcher. Thornton was assessed a match penalty on the play. Orpik was taken to a local hospital, where he was alert and conscious and later travelled back to Pittsburgh with the team. Justin Gilbert Jersey . But in the aftermath a 115-91 pounding of the Utah Jazz on Saturday night, Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey insisted it was still invaluable for evaluating the depth of his team early in the season. Paul McQuistan Jersey . The pitchers agent, Bob Garber, confirmed the decision and said Oswalt would go to work for his agency, RMG Baseball. Oswalt will be vice-president of baseball operations.PORT LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets closer Bobby Parnell threw batting practice Saturday, facing batters for the first time since his 2013 season was cut short by a neck injury. Parnell last pitched in a game on July 30. He missed the final two months of the season and had surgery Sept. 10 to repair a herniated disc in his neck. The right-hander threw 36 pitches to David Wright, Daniel Murphy and Eric Young Jr. "You work all off-season throwing bullpens with no batters in there and it seems like you cant miss a spot," Parnell said. "You throw a hitter in there and it becomes 100 times harder. It feels good to get out there and face some guys, face some hitters and find the strike zone with some intensity turnedd up. Jim Dray. It was a nice feeling today." Parnell said he was able to keep the ball down and didnt feel any discomfort in his neck or right arm. "Ive been taking a lot of baby steps," he said. "I feel great, my arm feels good, neck feels good. Everythings going well. But as far as today, this feels like a big mental hurdle. I didnt know how I would react to balls coming off the bat and I felt strong out there. I felt good and felt like I had some reaction in the neck, so everythings good." The Mets are being cautious with Parnell, but he is currently scheduled to throw a second batting practice on Tuesday. He said hell throw at least one more batting practice session before getting into a game. ' ' '
