NHL DoPS hands multi-game suspension to Blackhawks forward Brett Connolly

The National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced on Sunday night that Chicago Blackhawks forward Brett Connolly has been suspended four games for interference on Dallas Stars forward Tanner Kero.

Just over three minutes into Saturday night's contest is when the incident occurred. Kero was skating near the boards in his own zone when Connolly collides with him, causing Kero to fall to ice. Kero needed to be stretchered off and was taken to hospital, but was released on Sunday.

For his part, Connolly was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for interference.

You can listen to the full ruling of the Department of Player Safety below. It mentions the hit had significant head contact, it is "not a mere collision", and notes that Kero was never eligible to be hit in any fashion on this play.