Sabres defender to have hearing with NHL Department of Player Safety after dangerous hit to the head

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Cooper Godin
October 28, 2023 (7:38)

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Late on Friday night, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced that Buffalo Sabres defenceman Connor Clifton will have a hearing on Saturday for a dangerous hit on New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier.

"Buffalo's Connor Clifton will have a hearing Saturday for an Illegal Check to the Head on New Jersey's Nico Hischier."

The incident occurred during the first period of Friday's game between the Sabres and Devils, with Clifton lining up Hischier for a hit, when he goes right through the New Jersey captain with his shoulder.

Clifton was given a match penalty for an illegal check to the head, as well as a five-minute major for fighting after Ondrej Palat came to the defence of his captain.

While he initially returned to the Devils bench, Hischier left the game in the third period for precautionary reasons, with head coach Lindy Ruff saying they'll see how he's feeling on Saturday. Ruff was not happy about the hit, making it known to reporters post-game.

"The hit was a shot to the head. That's something they're trying to eliminate. It's something they have to take a look at. It was a dangerous play in a game." Ruff said.

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