Boston Bruins' defenseman Charlie McAvoy admits he "made a mistake" when delivering an illegal check to the head of Florida Panthers' blueliner Oliver Ekman-Larsson on Oct. 30 but felt the subsequent four-game suspension it earned was inconsistent with the error.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upheld the four-game suspension given to Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy for an illegal check to the head of Florida Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson on Oct. 30.

Since the suspension is less than six games and did not involve an in-person hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety, McAvoy is ineligible to appeal Bettman's decision to a neutral arbitrator.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy will appeal his four-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Florida Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will hear the appeal. His determination will be the final step in the appeals process. Since the suspension is less than six games and did not involve an in-person hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety, McAvoy is ineligible to appeal Bettman's decision to a neutral arbitrator.

Bettman could uphold the current suspension, reduce it or increase it.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy has been suspended for four games by the NHL department of player safety for an illegal check to the head of Florida Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson during Boston's overtime win on Monday night.

McAvoy received a match penalty at 9 minutes, 24 seconds of the third period.