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Michigan defenseman Michael Downing and forward Andrew Sinelli have each been suspended 1 game by the Big Ten, the conference announced Monday.
The pair will miss Friday's game against Penn State at Yost Arena for separate incidents during Saturday's 4-1 loss to Minnesota as part of the Big Ten's supplemental discipline process.
Downing was suspended for his second game misconduct in as many nights for contact to the head. The 6'2", 180 lbs freshman led with his elbow and made contact with Sam Warning 5:35 into the third period Saturday. A night earlier he received a game misconduct with 3:07 remaining in regulation.
Sinelli, who scored the Wolverines' lone goal Saturday, was suspended for his cross-check on Justin Kloos 14:37 into the third period. The junior was playing defense in the series finale and got Kloos towards the end of play in the throat or head region. Sinelli received a two minute minor for the play.
Michigan, for its part, seems to be okay with the decision.
Berenson on Downing, Sinelli suspensions - "We accept the decision of the league. The league is trying to eliminate hits to the head."
— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) February 17, 2014
Downing and Sinelli are the second and third players suspended by the conference this season. Penn State forward Mark Yanis missed a game for a hit from behind against Michigan State. Minnesota defenseman Ben Marshall was suspended by the NCAA last month for his third game misconduct given on a hit to Minnesota-Duluth forward Austin Farley.
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Nathan Wells is a college hockey columnist for SB Nation. You can also follow him on Twitter -- Follow @gopherstate