Penguins' Noel Acciari helped off the ice after scary hit to the head by Brenden Dillon
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pittsburgh Penguins center Noel Acciari had to be helped off the ice after a high hit from Brenden Dillon of the Winnipeg Jets.
In the second period of Tuesday's game at PPG Paints Arena, Dillon delivered a hit with his shoulder to Acciari's head, knocking the Penguins center to the ice. The impact of the hit from the defenseman knocked Acciari's helmet off. He later needed four teammates to help assist him in getting off the ice.
Dillon was assessed a match penalty, which is a five-minute major penalty and an ejection from the game.
The Penguins were leading 1-0 with 15 minutes, 45 seconds left in the second period when Dillon was ejected. The team later announced that Acciari would not return to Tuesday's game, which the Penguins won 3-0.
Brenden Dillon is assessed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head on Noel Acciari and is done for the night.
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 7, 2024
Acciari skated off with help from teammates and headed to the Penguins' locker room to get checked. pic.twitter.com/Z7aBfUji3k
After the game, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan gave an update on Acciari.
"He's doing OK but being evaluated right now," he said, according to the team's X account. "We'll allow the league to go through their process like they always do. At the end of the day, our opinions don't really matter. Our major concern is Noel and his health."
Acciari joined the Penguins this season after spending the previous eight years on multiple teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues last season.
This season, he has played in 38 games for the Penguins. He has scored three goals and tallied one assist. He signed a three-year deal with the Penguins this offseason.
In 2022, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said he was "surprised" that Dillon didn't face any discipline for his hit that broke Teddy Blueger's jaw. Dillon was not penalized on the ice for that hit in 2022.