Blackhawks forward Brett Connolly suspended four games for hit that sent Stars forward to hospital

NEW YORK (AP) — Chicago Blackhawks forward Brett Connolly was suspended for four games without pay by the NHL on Sunday for interference against Dallas Stars forward Tanner Kero.

Connolly was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct in the first period of Chicago's 4-3 overtime loss at Dallas on Saturday night.

Connolly was penalized 3:02 into the game when he hit Kero along the boards. Kero was taken from the ice on a stretcher with his head immobilized. Kero taken to a hospital for precautionary measures and evaluation, and coach Rick Bowness said after the game that the player had a concussion.

The suspension will cost Connolly $70,000.

The Stars' Joe Pavelski, who had two power-play goals and two assists in Saturday's win, teared up when asked after the game about seeing Kero taken off the ice.

“I’ve been here before,” Pavelski said, referring to the time with the San Jose Sharks when he hit his head on the ice in a playoff game against the Vegas Golden Knights in April 2019. “My teammates rallied around me that night. When (Kero) gets called on to play he shows up and plays. You just say a prayer for a speedy recovery.”