Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher will have a phone hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for his hit on Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech last night. Of note, because the hearing will be over the phone as opposed to in person, the maximum suspension he’ll be eligible to receive will be 5 games.
Gallagher was issued a match penalty in the 3rd period after his right elbow struck Pelech in the head. The blue liner remained down on the ice for several seconds and ultimately didn’t return to the contest.
“I think we all saw what happened and I’m sure the league’s going to review the hit,” Islanders new head coach Patrick Roy told reporters after the game. “That’s all I can say for now.”
Though he’s had more than his fair share of moments that could have been deemed “borderline” over the years, Gallagher has thus far never been suspended throughout his 12 year NHL career.
The 31 year old finished the game with no points, and two shots on goal, as the Habs would hold on for a 4-3 win over New York.
If Gallagher receives the 5 game maximum, he would miss games against the Penguins, Capitals, Stars, Blues and Ducks, before being eligible to return on February 15th against the New York Rangers.
Photo: Kristina Servant. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.