News: Brett Connolly suspended four games for hit on Kero

The Chicago Blackhawks are going to be without Brett Connolly for a few games as he was suspended after a hit on Tanner Kero during the game against the Dallas Stars on Saturday.

Connolly got four games for interference after hitting Tanner Kero against Dallas. Kero was injured on the play and honestly the entire situation was very similar to the Jujhar Khaira hit a week or so ago. Connolly was suspended four games and you can see the reasoning in this video below:

With some COVID postponements, four games from now will be a home game on January 2nd against the Calgary Flames, that is the next possible opportunity to see Connolly in action and hopefully we do see him then because the forward worked very hard to work out of the AHL and get where he is today.

A suspension was not surprising just after watching the highlight and seeing how the hit went down. But I do think it is worth noting what Stars Coach Rick Bowness had to say following the game:

We all here are hoping Tanner Kero recovers and can get back on the ice as soon as possible. Hockey is a sport and these athletes shouldn't be getting stretchered off the ice because of the game they play. Which does bring me to the question as to why Jacob Trouba did not leave the game against Chicago with a suspension as well?

The NHL can be a tough sport with hits but it doesn't need to be one where players can be leveled in the head and stretchered off the ice and the reason there is not a suspension is well that player should have been looking to make sure they weren't in a vulnerable position.

The Khaira hit should have caused a suspension and I am happy the Kero hit did because that wasn't a clean hit either. Kero was released from the hospital on Sunday and is at home resting. The Blackhawks next game is on Thursday against the Dallas Stars.