NHL suspends Buffalo’s John Scott seven games for illegal hit to head

The NHL continued to punish players who deliver illegal hits to opponents’ heads when its Department of Player Safety suspended Buffalo Sabres forward John Scott seven games for his blow to the head of Boston Bruins forward Loui Eriksson.

Scott appeared at a hearing at the league’s New York offices Thursday morning. The ruling was issued Thursday afternoon. Scott will forfeit $26,923.05 to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred Oct. 23. Brendan Shanahan, the league’s vice president of player safety, said in this video the ruling was based in part on the fact that Scott “delivers a shoulder to Eriksson’s head, making it the main point of contact and causing a serious injury” after Eriksson had dumped
the puck.

Shanahan added, “Although Eriksson is eligible to be checked on this play, he is not eligible to be checked in this fashion.”

Since the season began, the league has suspended eight players for a total of 35 games for various illegal hits, according to the TSN website. During preseason play, seven players were suspended a total of 34 games.

Eriksson suffered a concussion on the hit by Scott and has not played since then.

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