12:30 PM: The verdict is in for Clifton and the Department of Player Safety announced (video link) that Clifton has received a two-game suspension. He’ll be eligible to return on Friday in the back half of a home-and-home set against Philadelphia. From the video:
Clifton finishes a high, hard check that cuts in front of Hischier’s core making his head the main point of contact on a hit when head contact was avoidable… If Clifton wants to deliver this hit, Clifton must stay low and choose an angle that hits through Hischier’s shoulder and core, rather than one that makes the head the main point of contact.
9:20 AM: Following a hit that saw him ejected from last night’s game in New Jersey, the league announced that defenseman Connor Clifton will have a disciplinary hearing today.
With just over four minutes remaining in the first period, Clifton hit Devils center Nico Hischier up high near the boards and, after video review, was assessed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head. That carries an automatic league review and upon that review, they’ve determined to proceed with a hearing.
Hischier missed the rest of the period, came back for the second, but did not return. Following the game, head coach Lindy Ruff told reporters including Ryan Novozinsky of the Newark Star-Ledger that they decided to hold out the captain for precautionary reasons and will re-evaluate him today.
The Sabres are back in action on Sunday against Colorado so any suspension, if one is coming, will need to be announced by then. Clifton has not been suspended previously in his NHL career.
High hit, but not deliberate. He missed the remainder of the game due to penalty. Based on past penalties I would say nothing more. Based off Andersson’s I would say 2 games. Impossible to call what the league would do at this time. IMO 1 game follow up because the Anderson call. But no one knows these days with the NHL.
WOW!!!! 2 games for a guy that has never been suspended or even considered dirty on a hit that should of ended with the 5 min major. Gonna make a lot of players think about hitting someone, NHL getting too soft
Just circling back here to remind you that this was 2 games for a months injury to Hischier. Reckon he got off light.
Surprise future hall of famer according to Jack Edwards (LOL) . Got two games.
I hope George at least gave him a semi-sincere “You’re welcome. Enjoy the fries for the next two games!”