Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton has been suspended two games for his hit on Nico Hischier.
NEWARK, N.J. -- Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton had a hearing Saturday afternoon for his hit on New Jersey Devils forward Nico Hischier on Friday night. The result is a two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head.
Per the press release: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton has been suspended for two games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of New Jersey Devils forward Nico Hischier during NHL Game No. 113 in New Jersey on Friday, Oct. 27, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.
The incident occurred at 15:57 of the first period. Clifton was assessed a match penalty.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and based on his average annual salary, Clifton will forfeit $34,722.22. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
Further explanation mentions that head contact was avoidable, and it is the head that absorbs the majority of the force of the check.
"Clifton miss times this hit slightly, choosing an angle of approach that cuts across the front of Hischier's body, missing his core and picking his head."
It's worth noting Buffalo's blueliner has no prior history and has never been fined or suspended in his 240-game NHL career.
After the Devils Saturday afternoon practice, head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that Hischier would miss the team's next game versus the Minnesota Wild.