NHL suspends Flyers forward Dale Weise for 3 games without pay

An illegal hit to the head has cost Philadelphia Flyers forward Dale Weise three games without pay.

The Philadelphia Flyers will be without forward Dale Weise for the next three games. The NHL suspended Weise on Friday for an illegal check to the head of Anaheim defenseman Korbinian Holzer.

The incident happened during Thursday night’s 3-2 home loss to the Ducks. Weise was not called for a penalty for the hit, and Holzer returned to the game without injury.

The intent seemed routine enough, as Holzer was trying to move the puck during the second period. However, the way he delivered the blow to the head is what has landed him a suspension without pay.

The NHL responded to the hit on Friday. They noted that if he wanted to deliver a check of that nature, he must do so in a way where he doesn’t make the head the main point of contact. The league’s Department of Player Safety revealed he delivered an unneccesary check to the head after extending into his hit instead of staying low to make solid body contact.

Though Holzer was slowing up at the time of impact, Weise was adjusting his own route, which led to him colliding with Holzer’s head.

This is the third player the Flyers have lost to suspension this year. Radko Gudas was suspended six games for interference during a game against the Bruins, while Brayden Schenn is serving a suspension that has carried over from last year’s playoffs. The Flyers are of to a rocky start, with a 1-3-1 record to open up the 2016-17 season.

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The Flyers are set to host the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night. Carolina is also off to a slow start, going 1-1-2 in their opening few games.