Brendan Gallagher gets max suspension for illegal check to Adam Pelech’s head

Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher has been suspended five games for his illegal check to the head on New York Islanders’ Adam Pelech.

This is the maximum ban he could receive seeing that he was called for a phone hearing earlier on Friday. The hearing not in person meant that the suspension will be no longer than five games.

The incident took place during the third period of the game at the Bell Center, last night. At center ice, Gallagher launched his right elbow into Pelech’s head well after he had gotten rid of the puck. An unsuspecting Pelech went flying and stayed on the ice holding his head for several seconds after. He did not return to the game after the hit.

The play was reviewed though it was clear that Gallagher would be ejected. The officials tossed him from the remainder of the game, giving the Islanders a five-minute power play trailing 3-1. New York scored on the man advantage, however, they went on to loss 4-3 as Habs’ Sean Monahan recorded the winner, which was his second tally of the contest. 

Folks are quite outraged with the league's decision not to have an in person hearing with Gallagher in order for him to receive a much longer ban. Mark Lazerus, insider for the Chicago Blackhawks for the Athletic, wrote: "This is an insufficient penalty for one of the most blatant and intentional elbows to the head I've ever seen."

Before getting sent off for his illegal hit, Gallagher had played 12 minutes and 45 seconds and registered two shots on goal. He has eight goals and eight assists in 47 games so far this season.

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