Stefan Noesen bit off more than he could chew Wednesday night, and the New Jersey Devils forward could finish the preseason suspended.
Late in the second period, Noesen leveled the 36-year-old defenseman with a late, blindside hit.
Let’s take a closer look.
The play started after the two got tangled up below the goal line. Orpik clears the loose puck, but a second later Noesen slams into Orpik’s left shoulder.
Noesen extends his elbow and catches Orpik in the chest and by surprise, causing the defenseman’s head to swing back violently. The hit was unnecessary and dangerous by any definition, and Orpik was lucky to have not been injured.
Orpik’s response was about what you’d expect. The defenseman (top left of the screen) skated across the ice and tackled Noesen with the intention of leading a one-on-one face-punching session.
Instead, the two players angrily hugged. Noesen has never fought in the NHL before.
106.7 The Fan’s Grant Paulsen got a front row seat to the violence.
Both combatants got five minute majors for fighting while Orpik received an instigator (two-minute minor) and a ten-minute misconduct.
As the two players sat in the penalty box, Noesen appears to initiate a conversation, potentially apologizing for the hit.
Thursday morning, we’ll find out if Noesen will have to meet with the Department of Player Safety.
By the way, Caps TV replayed an iso on Noesen's hit on Orpik. Looks like shoulder hit above Orpik's shoulder. Agree it will be reviewed.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) September 28, 2017
Update 8 AM: The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan reports that Noesen’s hit “fails to reach suspension level.” DoPS, why you make no sense?
Good morning! On the Nosen hit on Orpik last night, I've been told it was looked at closely, but probably fails to reach suspension level.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) September 28, 2017
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