WINNIPEG — Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dustin Byfuglien will not be suspended for a high hit to Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher in Sunday’s loss.
The NHL made the decision following a hearing early Tuesday morning.
“After speaking to Byfuglien, we largely accept his explanation of the incident,” said the league’s department of player safety in its ruling. “It is our determination that while there is some head contact on this play, this is a collision where the head is not the main point of contact.”
Byfuglien was assessed a minor penalty for elbowing following the first period hit. The NHL says the force of contact through Gallagher’s arms spun his entire body into the air in a manner consistent with a full body hit. It also added that Byfuglien kept his elbow tucked and his skates on the ice through contact. Gallagher was not injured.
“I play a puck and have no intention to hit him,” said Byfuglien. “I’m trying to go up ice on a delayed (penalty) call and I get the s–t end of it.”
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