Bettman upholds Tom Wilson's 20-game suspension

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has upheld Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson's suspension for his hit to the head of St. Louis Blues center Oskar Sundqvist, the NHL announced Thursday.

Bettman was present for Wilson's Oct. 18 appeal of the Oct. 3 decision.

Wilson now has seven days to file an appeal through a neutral arbitrator if he wishes to do so, according to the league's collective bargaining agreement.

The incident in question took place during a preseason game on Sept. 30.