Blackhawks’ Brett Connolly suspended four games for hit on Stars’ Tanner Kero

| December 19, 2021, 7:50 PM

December 19, 2021, 7:50 PM

Chicago Blackhawks forward Brett Connolly was handed a four-game suspension for his hit on Dallas Stars forward Tanner Kero, which led to Kero being taken off the ice on a stretcher.

The incident occurred during the first period in Saturday's game between the two teams. As the Stars were executing a breakout from their own zone, Connolly hit an unsuspecting Kero at full speed, knocking him to the ice near the boards. Kero lay motionless on the ice as play was stopped and a stretcher was quickly brought out onto the ice.

Connolly was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for interference for the hit. It was only the veteran forward's second game of the season after he began the campaign in the AHL following an off-season trade from the Panthers. The Stars scored two goals during the five-minute power play.

Kero, 29, began his career in the Blackhawks organization after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2015. After spending parts of three seasons with the Blackhawks, and one season with the Canucks' former AHL team the Utica Comets, Kero signed with the Stars ahead of the 2019-20 season. In 11 NHL games this season, he has two assists.

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