PITTSBURGH – Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brendan Dillon has officially been suspended three games following his hit against Pittsburgh Penguins forward Noel Acciari. In the second period between the Penguins and Jets, Dillon laid an illegal check to the head of Acciari, who left the contest and did not return.
Dillon was assessed a match penalty for his hit, and the NHL’s Department of Player Safety stepped in with a hearing. Since it was a phone hearing, the maximum punishment would have been a five-game suspension.
The NHL cited that the main point of contact was Dillon’s shoulder, hitting Acciari in the head in an avoidable situation. Had Dillon gone for Acciari’s core or even let up and avoided a hit, he likely would have avoided suspension.
Since it was an illegal check to the head and Acciari suffered what looked to be a pretty severe injury, the NHL ruled on a three-game suspension. This is Dillon’s second suspension of his career.
This suspension will last long enough that Dillon will not appear in the lineup when the Penguins and Jets face off again this weekend.
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