You Make The Call: Brenden Dillon Hit on Noel Acciari 

Winnipeg’s Brenden Dillon will have a hearing today for an illegal check to the head on Pittsburgh’s Noel Acciari.

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) February 7, 2024

Last night Brenden Dillon finished a check on Noel Acciari that had everyone up in arms. One side said that Dillon was in the right for finishing his hit and it was unfortunate that the 5’9 Acciari was at fault for not keeping his head up.

Hockey Physics:
When a 5-foot-9 player (Acciari) chooses to carry the puck – and thus lower his head – through 2 zones without ever looking up, and a 6-4 Dman (Dillon) is paid to impede his progress, head contact ensues.
Acciari should change his game, not Dillon, IMO.

— Mark Spector🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@SportsnetSpec) February 7, 2024

Spector is essentially claiming that there was no ill will, there was not intent and that the hit was unfortunate based on the speed of the play and the relative size of the players.

Former NHLer and analyst Ray Ferraro had a different view point.

Last night in Carolina, Connor Garland got smoked by Brady Skjei… That's a far bigger size differential… shoulder to shoulder, perfectly timed hit https://t.co/uJAPEIB4aC

— Ray Ferraro (@rayferraro21) February 7, 2024

Ray argues that the size of the player does not play that much into it, rather the execution of the hit. Just because Dillon is bigger than Acciari is not a good enough reason to deem this hit inexcusable.

I mean, quite simply, this was a direct hit to the head. Was it on purpose or with ill intent? I’m unsure, but in todays NHL, not only do you have to be aware of getting lit up like this but you also have to be aware in throwing the check. I’d still be laying on the ice if I were him so stick taps to Acciari – guy is tough as nails.

George Parros will undoubtedly get this wrong so I ask you, what would you do if you were Player Safety? What type of punishment should Brenden Dillon receive?

Vote below.