Stars defenseman Demers ejected for hit on Islanders’ Clutterbuck

Dallas Stars defenseman Jason Demers was assessed with a five-minute boarding major and received a game misconduct for a hit on New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck on Sunday

Dallas Stars defenseman Jason Demers was assessed with a five-minute boarding major and received a game misconduct for a hit on New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck at 5:07 of the second period on Sunday.

Clutterbuck makes a play on the puck along the side boards while falling, and Demers, committed to throwing the check, clearly makes head contact. Even if he wanted to pull up, he may have had trouble doing so after Clutterbuck lowered his head.

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Clutterbuck returned to the game, scoring the Isles’ third goal of the second period and fifth of the game in a 6-5 win.

Afterward, Stars coach Lindy Ruff had some choice words for Clutterbuck following the incident:

Lindy Ruff on Jason Demers getting a major for the hit on Cal Clutterbuck: pic.twitter.com/ZWC3BRk7mw

— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) January 4, 2016

But still, head contact is head contact and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Demers heard something from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.