Devils captain drilled with illegal check to the head, Sabres defenseman ejected, facing suspension
The Buffalo Sabres may be without the services of one of their veteran defensemen for awhile after Connor Clifton delivered an illegal check to the head on New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier.
During the late stages of the first period in last night's Sabres/Devils game, Hischier tipped a puck into the Sabres' zone and turned to pursue it when he was intercepted and clipped by Clifton with a clear hit to the head.
Clifton was assessed a 5-minute major and ejected from the game as a result of the hit, and is expected to have a hearing with the Department of Player Safety on Saturday to determine whether any supplemental discipline is warranted. A suspension is the most likely outcome here, given that Clifton was offered a hearing. We almost never hear of a player receiving a hearing with the league and not earning at least a 1-game suspension.
Hischier did attempt to remain in the game, but was pulled for precautionary reasons in the second period and didn't play the 3rd period. He finished his night with just over 11 minutes of ice time.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 28 | 153 ANSWERS Devils captain drilled with illegal check to the head, Sabres defenseman ejected, facing suspension How many games do you think Connor Clifton will be suspended for after his hit to the head of Nico Hischier? | ||
| 1 game | 12 | 7.8 % |
| 2-3 games | 69 | 45.1 % |
| 4-5 games | 43 | 28.1 % |
| More than 5 games | 29 | 19 % |
| List of polls | ||
