Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon suspended 3 games for hit on Penguins forward Noel Acciari

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon was suspended three games by the NHL as a result of a hit he delivered to the head of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Noel Acciari.

The league announced the suspension Wednesday evening.

During the Penguins’ 3-0 win at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday, Dillon’s left shoulder struck Acciari’s head at 4 minutes, 15 seconds of the second period. Acciari’s helmet was knocked off upon contact as Acciari tumbled to the ice.

Brenden Dillon is assessed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head on Noel Acciari and is done for the night.

Acciari skated off with help from teammates and headed to the Penguins' locker room to get checked. pic.twitter.com/Z7aBfUji3k

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 7, 2024

Dillon received a match penalty for the hit, an infraction that carries an automatic suspension pending review by the league.

One of the games Dillon will miss will be a rematch with the Penguins on Saturday in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Per a release from the NHL, Dillon will lose $60,937.50 of salary as a result of the suspension. Those funds go to the NHL/NHLPA Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund, a program that provides help to players (and their families) who are struggling with mental health, substance abuse or other woes.

The league provided a video explanation as to what led to the suspension. A narrator states:

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“As the video shows, Acciari skates the puck through the neutral zone as Dillon steps up from the middle of the ice to challenge. As Acciari chips the puck into the Jets’ zone, Dillon finishes a high, hard hit that misses Acciari’s core, making the head the main point of contact on a hit where such head contact was avoidable. This is an illegal check to the head.

“It is important to note that both elements of the illegal check to the head rule are satisfied on this play. First, the head is the main point of contact as Dillon’s shoulder makes direct and forceful contact with Acciari’s head, and it is the head that absorbs the majority of the force of the check.

“Second, the head contact on this play is avoidable. We acknowledge that Acciari is bent forward as he carries the puck up the ice, but he is in his position for some time and does not materially change the position of his head or body in a way that contributes to the head being the main point of contact. Dillon chooses an angle of approach that cuts across the front of Acciari’s body, missing his core and picking his head. If Dillon wants to deliver this hit, he must choose an angle that hits through Acciari’s shoulder and core rather than one that makes the head the main point of contact.”

Acciari was in clear distress after the hit and struggled badly to recover to his skates. Eventually, team medical staffers attended to him before he was escorted to the dressing room.

The Penguins canceled practice Wednesday, so no public update on Acciari’s status will be available before Thursday.

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