Arber Xhekaj ejected and could face suspension for open ice hit on Tim Stutzle
Photo credit: Sportnset
Moments ago in tonight's preseason game between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators, Arber Xhekaj was ejected for a brutal hit.
Senators centre Tim Stutzle received a pass and quickly moved the puck while heading up the ice, and Arber Xhekaj had his sights set on him. After Stutzle had moved the puck, Xhekaj moved in to deliver an ugly high hit that sent Stutzle sprawling.
Xhekaj got in a brief scrum with Brady Tkachuk who took him down to the ice hard. Stutzle got to his feet with the assistance of the trainers, but looked woozy from the hit. Xhekaj was ejected from the game, and could be facing a suspension for the senseless hit against a star player in preseason. The Habs defenceman appeared to lean into contact with his elbow in Stutzle's head.
Neither Tkachuk or Stutzle will return to the game tonight. The Ottawa Senators made a statement revealing both are dealing with upper body injuries.
Just last week, Xhekaj got away from an incident in a preseason game against the Leafs with only a fine. Xhekaj chased after Cedric Pare after his hit on Patrik Laine, and proceeded to punch Pare with his gloves on after the Leafs forward declined to fight. Many fans thought Xhekaj would be suspended, but somehow he was only given a fine.
With this incident coming in such a short time after the last controversy, Xhekaj is certainly living up to his reputation as a wrecking ball early this year. However, he'll have to really dial it back if he doesn't want to be suspended monthly. This hit is a brutal look for Xhekaj, and if he isn't suspended this time, it'll be a brutal look on the NHL and the Department of Player Safety. We'll see in the next 24 hours how the NHL decides to respond.
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