The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators faced off in a heated preseason matchup that saw tempers flare and a controversial hit take center stage. Halfway through the second period, with Montreal leading 2-0, Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj delivered a thunderous hit to Senators star Tim Stutzle. The hit, which appeared to be high, sent Stutzle flying and left him with a cut on his nose. Xhekaj was assessed a five-minute major penalty and ejected from the game.
Now, the hockey world waits with bated breath: how many games will Arber Xhekaj be suspended for?
Will the Canadiens’ Defenseman Face Consequences for Hitting the Senators’ Star?
The video replay shows Stutzle entering the offensive zone with speed when Xhekaj steps up and delivers the hit. While there’s no doubt the hit was forceful, the point of contact is the main point of contention. Did Xhekaj’s shoulder make primary contact with Stutzle’s head, or was the initial point of contact lower, with the force of the impact causing Stutzle’s head to snap back? This is what the NHL’s Department of Player Safety will be scrutinizing.
The X-Factor: Xhekaj’s History
Adding another layer to this situation is Xhekaj’s recent history. On Saturday, he was involved in an altercation with the Toronto Maple Leafs where he threw punches at Cedric Pare after Pare’s hit on Patrik Laine. While Xhekaj escaped with a fine for that incident, this latest hit could be viewed as a pattern of aggressive behavior.
Fan Reaction: A Divided Hockey World
The hit has ignited a firestorm of debate among NHL fans. Some argue that Xhekaj was simply playing a physical brand of hockey and that the hit was a result of Stutzle’s speed and the nature of the game. Others vehemently condemn the hit, arguing that it was reckless and endangered Stutzle’s safety.
Social media is abuzz with opinions:
- “I get Xhekaj is frustrated with how his teammates have been getting hurt from dirty plays, but he’s gotta channel that anger in better ways, go drop the gloves with the guys hurting your teammates, go lay a clean hit, don’t do this. I love Arber but this isn’t a great look for him.”
- “All Xhekaj does is play dirty, he’s a terrible hockey player, I guess that’s entertainment for Habs fans since their team’s gonna be in the sewer’s again.”
- “Turns out Xhekaj didn’t actually touch his head, only Stutzle’s stick which then hit the head.”
The Verdict?
Predicting the length of a suspension is always a tricky business. Factors like the severity of the contact, the player’s history, and the NHL’s current stance on head contact all come into play. Given the high-profile nature of this incident and the potential for injury, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Xhekaj receive a suspension of at least two to three games. However, if the Department of Player Safety deems the contact unavoidable or incidental, he may escape with a fine.
Video of Arber Xhekaj hit on Tim Stutzle
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