Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand has been suspended three games by the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety for clippping Ottawa Senators defenceman Mark Borowiecki on Tuesday night.

Midway through the first period, Marchand hit Borowiecki just outside the face-off circle to the right of Senators goalie Craig Anderson. Marchand was not assessed a penalty on the play and Borowiecki did not miss any time.

The Bruins won the game 7-3.

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“It was a simple play. I mean, I was trying to get to the puck carrier, and I turned up ice,”Marchand told CSN New England's Joe Haggerty following the game. “He was kind of standing there. I just turned up and tried to go to the puck carrier.”

Senators coach Dave Cameron wasn't pleased with the hit, but stopped short of calling for a suspension.

"Phone the league and ask the league, that's what they do," Cameron said. "I'm not in charge of suspensions."

Because Marchand's hearing with the league was over the phone, Marchand could not be suspended for any more than five games or fined more than $5,000. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, Marchand was treated as a "repeat offender," having been suspended in the last 18 months,

The 27-year-old native of Halifax received a two-game ban last season for a slew foot on New York Rangers forward Derrick Brassard. He was also fined for a similar infraction in 2011 on Matt Niskanen, then of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In 2012, Marchand received a five-game suspension for a low hit on Vancouver Canucks defenceman Sami Salo.

The suspension means Marchand will miss the 2016 Winter Classic set for Friday at Gillette Stadium against the Montreal Canadiens in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

In 34 games this season, his seventh in the NHL, Marchand has 15 goals and 11 assists.