Controversial Hit on Juraj Slafkovsky: NHL Clears Noel Acciari Despite Calls for Suspension

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Elias Adaime
November 3, 2024 (11:12)

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We have an update regarding Pittsburgh Penguins forward Noel Acciari following his dangerous hit on Juraj Slafkovsky.

Many speculated that a suspension was possible (and even likely) for Acciari, but in the end, the National Hockey League decided not to sanction the Penguins forward.

This is truly surprising, especially since the disciplinary committee didn't even consider it necessary to (at the very least) make a phone call for the Penguins forward to explain himself.

They simply decided it didn't deserve their attention.

Noel Acciari will have no call or meeting with the NHL's disciplinary committee; he is cleared

This is likely to stir up some discussion, especially since the vast majority of experts, even those at Sportsnet, mentioned that Acciari's hit on Slafkovsky was dangerous and "dirty."

See the clip where the Sportsnet experts discussed the scene involving Juraj Slafkovsky and Noel Acciari.

This is yet another questionable hit on Montreal Canadiens players that remains completely unpunished.

Engels added this:

"I don't know what tweaks can be made to NHL rules to punish dirty but technically legal hits, but I'd love to hear reasonable ideas that don't take hitting out. Rule punishing all hits head contact won't wash with players, who won't accept penalizing clean hits with bad consequences.." - Eric Engels

Details to follow.