Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith won't appeal his suspension and apologized to Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle for hitting him in the face with his stick March 25.
The suspension included the final five games of the regular season and the first game of the playoffs. He missed Friday's win against Winnipeg.
"It was obviously a reaction and one that I need to be disciplined [for]," Keith said before the Blackhawks played the Bruins on Sunday afternoon, according to the Chicago Tribune. "We talked about that as a team and things like that. Obviously there's a limit and I [have] to know that. I will."
Keith told reporters that he called Coyle to apologize and left a voicemail. Coyle called back and they discussed the incident.
"I was appreciative of that," Keith said, according to the Tribune. "It says a lot about the player and type of guy he is. That's about it. They have a good team and they're playing well. I wished him the best after.
"It's a dangerous play and I was glad to see he came back [that game] and it wasn't worse."
After being pushed to the ice by Coyle, from his back Keith swung his stick with one hand, catching Coyle right across the face. Coyle was left with blood dripping down the bridge of his nose and required medical attention, but he returned to the game.
In a video announcing the suspension, the NHL department of player safety called Keith's action "an intentional and retaliatory act of violence by a player with a history of using his stick as a weapon."
"It's important to note that Keith is in perfect control of his stick at all times," the league said in the video. "This motion is made intentionally -- not recklessly. This is not a case where two players are battling for position or puck control and a stick rides up suddenly. This is not a defensive high stick."
Keith was suspended in the 2013 playoffs for swinging his stick and hitting Los Angeles Kings forward Jeff Carter in the face.
Keith will forfeit $148,883.35 under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, based on his average annual salary.
The Blackhawks, the defending Stanley Cup champions, have clinched a playoff berth and are third in the Central Division, at 45-26-7 with four games to play. If the season ended today, the Blackhawks would open the playoffs on the road against the Blues.
Keith said he knows he has to control his emotions more to be on the ice with his teammates.
"I'm going to have to," he said, according to the newspaper. "It's just knowing that line and I feel I'm a competitive person but I don't think that's something I can't stop. I think I can stop that. Move on and move forward and when I come back be as good as I can be."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.