Sabres defenseman will miss games against Colorado and Philadelphia
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton has been suspended by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for two games for an illegal check to the head of Devils forward Nico Hischier in Friday’s 5-4 loss in New Jersey. Clifton was assessed a match penalty late in the first period, forcing the Sabres to play with five defensemen for the rest of the game.
The suspension was the first for Clifton in his 240-game NHL career and will see him forfeit $34,722.22 to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund and miss Sunday’s home game against the Colorado Avalanche and Wednesday’s contest in Philadelphia against the Flyers.
"I mistimed the hit, it's as simple as that. Obviously, there was head contact, which I didn't intend to do." Clifton said. "I hit him when he was tilted, he didn't get his shoulder around. I just brushed his inside shoulder and hit him right in the head. It's the kind of hit you want out of the game."
Hischier returned to the game in the second period and played just over 11 minutes on the night, but the Devils team captain did not return for the third period. New Jersey head coach Lindy Ruff indicated on Saturday that Hischier will not play on Sunday at home against the Minnesota Wild.
Sabres head coach Don Granato said on Saturday that Jacob Bryson will replace Clifton in the lineup on Sunday against the Avalanche, paired with veteran Erik Johnson.
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