Top Canadiens Insider Confirms Noel Acciari's Suspension Fate After Dirty Hit on Juraj Slafkovsky

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Julien Trekker
November 3, 2024 (12:13)

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The reporter Eric Engels confirmed Noel Acciari's suspension fate after the dirty hit he landed on Juraj Slafkovsky last night during a game.

Yesterday, the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-1 in a great effort from Sidney Crosby, who scored two goals. This was the Habs' third straight loss, which made them fall all the way down to the eighth position in the Atlantic Division with a 4-7-1 record.

Unfortunately, toward the end of the third period, the Canadiens lost Juraj Slafkovsky after a dangerous hit from Penguins' forward Noel Acciari.

Acciari raised his shoulder to hit Slafkovsky's head, in a hit that was qualified as dirty by two former NHLers, including Kevin Bieksa, on yesterday's Hockey Night in Canada broadcast:

"In hockey that's a dirty hit. We all know what's happening, two guys are racing for the puck, they are both reaching, and the guy who is supposed to get the puck first just leaves it and hits the guy. That is a bit of a dirty hit."

In breaking news, Sportsnet's Eric Engels revealed that the NHL's Department of Player Safety won't give further discipline to Acciari for the hit:

Once again this season, injuries continue to strike the Habs lineup. Juraj Slafkovsky, who already missed three games this year with an injury, could once again be sidelined due to his health condition. With Kaiden Guhle also missing several games, and Patrik Laine on the injury reserve since the preseason, fans are tired of seeing the team lose because key players are missing.

Bieksa, who spoke out about Acciari's hit, also shared his concerns about the Canadiens. He went as far as saying Montreal was "regressing" in their rebuild.

Hopefully, Martin St. Louis will find a way to turn things around soon.