Dirty Hit Earns Canadiens’ Brandon Gallagher a Disciplinary Hearing

Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher will have a disciplinary hearing on Friday after levying a dirty hit to the head of New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced. 

The play in question came in the third period of Thursday’s game in Montreal. As Pelech moved the puck out of the New York zone, Gallagher skated towards him and hit him in the head with his elbow after Pelech had released the puck. Gallagher, who at 5'9" is significantly shorter than the 6'3" Pelech, had to lift his feet off the ice to hit Pelech as high as he did. 

Gallagher’s hearing will be by phone, rather than in person, which means that, by rule, he cannot be suspended for more than five games. 

Brendan Gallagher receives a five-minute major and game misconduct for an illegal check to the head on Adam Pelech. pic.twitter.com/k3NKyZqanh

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 26, 2024

Pelech was attended to by the Islanders’ training staff on the ice before skating back to the dressing room. He did not return to the game, but the team has offered no update on his status. 

The hit earned Gallagher a match penalty. The Islanders scored twice on the five-minute power play to tie the game, but Sean Monahan’s late goal gave the Habs the win. 

“I think we all saw what happened and I’m sure the league’s going to review the hit,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said after the game. “That’s all I can say for now.”