Jets’ Brenden Dillon gets multi-game suspension for dangerous hit on Pens’ Noel Acciari

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon has been suspended three games for an illegal check to the head on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Noel Acciari.

The blue liner had his hearing earlier today about an incident that took place last night in the Penguins’ 3-0 shutout win over the Jets. Just over four minutes into the second period, Acciari was skating with the puck through the neutral zone when he collided with Dillon, who caught the Penguins’ forward in the head with his shoulder. Acciari’s helmet was sent flying by the contact. It quickly turned into a scrum as Penguins teammates rushed over to defend Acciari, who was laying, visibly shaked up on the ice.

While some fans blamed Acciari for getting caught with his head low, the NHL has ruled that the hit could have been avoided and has therefore banned Dillon for three contests.

Just recently, New York Rangers’ Jacob Trouba was suspended two games for his illegal elbow on Vegas Golden Knights forward Pavel Dorofeyev. The blue liner returns tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning after serving his ban.

Dillon has recorded six goals and 15 points in 47 games this season, his third with the Jets. He will be eligible to return when the Jets visit the Cancuks in Vancouver on February 17th. He will miss the rematch against the Penguins in Winnipeg on Saturday.

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