Devils Forward Given Match Penalty for Hit Against Sabres

A New Jersey Devils may be without a forward following a borderline hit against the Buffalo Sabres.

Jan 4, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Stefan Noesen (11) passes against San Jose Sharks center Alexander Wennberg (21) during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

New Jersey Devils forward Stefan Noesen will likely be hearing from the NHL Department of Player Safety following a huge hit against Buffalo Sabres’ star Tage Thompson. In the third period of the meeting between the Devils and Sabres, Noesen swiped the puck away from Thompson before driving his shoulder into his head.

With the Devils down 4-2 at the time, Noesen was given a match penalty on the play, which should bring an automatic hearing from the Department of Player Safety. Despite having a five-minute power play as a result, the Sabres did not score to increase their lead, instead gave up a short-handed goal to the Devils.

After successfully poking the puck away from Thompson, Noesen didn’t change his stride or attempt to avoid Thompson, rather drove his shoulder into his head. Thompson helmet went flying off as he hit the ice in clear pain.

Stefan Noesen is assessed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head on Tage Thompson 😳 pic.twitter.com/euBcBuUt89
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 2, 2025

Thompson did not return to the game following the hit to the head and finished the game with 13:39 of ice time.

Heading into the matchup with the Devils, Thompson led the Sabres with 45 points (25G-20A) in 46 games. Before taking his hit to the head, Thompson had already scored a goal and picked up two more assists.

Noesen finished the game with just over 13 minutes of ice time and 17 total penalty minutes.

The Sabres went on to beat the Devils by a score of 4-3.

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