Never since he played hockey has Brendan Gallagher been suspended. After thinking about it for five games, a punishment imposed by the NHL following a blow to the head he gave Adam Pelech, he assures us that we won’t do it again.
“I don’t think it will happen again,” he said Wednesday morning after the Canadian’s training.
Vicious blows, “it’s not in my DNA,” he recalled. “I’m not that type of player. [Cette suspension], it happened to me once in my life. I hope that’s all. »
On January 25, in the third period of a duel against the New York Islanders, Gallagher received a major penalty after elbowing Adam Pelech in the head. The defender had just crossed his blue line and got rid of the puck when the impact took place.
Pelech, who never saw his attacker arrive, remained on the ground for a long time and left the meeting. Gallagher was immediately sent off and his team had to defend one man short for five minutes. The Canadian, who was then up 3-1, saw the Islanders score two power play goals to tie the score.
In suspending Gallagher for five games, the NHL Department of Player Safety concluded from the sequence that it was a direct hit to the head, that the contact was avoidable and that Pelech was injured on the game.
See the explanation of Brendan Gallagher’s suspension
Without legitimizing his action, the attacker provided his version of the facts.
“I was the last guy [en repli] and I wanted to direct it [Pelech] towards the center of the ice. I was in a bad position: if I don’t make a play, he rushes and there’s potentially a breakaway. At the last second I decided to hit him and misjudged my angle. It happened fast and I hit it in the wrong place. This was in no way intentional. […] Obviously, I felt bad. »
The 31-year-old veteran claims to have communicated with Pelech after the event. He was also pleased that his opponent was able to return to the game quickly – he nevertheless missed a match due to an “upper body” injury.
PHOTO ERIC BOLTE, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Adam Pelech after Brendan Gallagher’s hit
A priori, he would have expected a suspension similar to the one Charlie McAvoy received (four games), from the Boston Bruins, earlier this season, also due to a blow to the head. “I had one more game,” Gallagher noted. It is what it is. When that happens, you come to terms with the decision. I’m glad it’s over. »
“I have served my sentence and I can’t wait to come back,” he concluded.
He is expected to return to action this Thursday, when the Habs visit the Rangers in New York. Since Gallagher’s suspension began before the team’s bye week, it will be three weeks since he last played.
Since the start of the season, he has amassed 16 points, including 8 goals, in 48 games. He also has a differential of -21, the worst on the team.