Blackhawks' Connolly suspended 4 games for hit on Stars' Kero

Chicago Blackhawks winger Brett Connolly has been suspended four games for his hit on Dallas Stars forward Tanner Kero, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Sunday.

Connolly hammered Kero into the boards even though the Stars forward never touched the puck. Connolly was handed an interference major and a game misconduct on the play.

Kero had to be stretchered off the ice. He was conscious, alert, and responsive afterward. Kero was hospitalized as a precaution.

This marks the first time Connolly has been suspended or fined in his 11-year NHL career.

Stars veteran Joe Pavelski got emotional postgame speaking about his injured teammate.

Joe Pavelski when asked about Tanner Kero, who left the game in the first period after a scary hit. https://t.co/id8ulQECGf pic.twitter.com/db6K4O6Ch6

- Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) December 19, 2021

Kero has recorded 34 points in 123 career NHL games split between the Stars and Blackhawks.

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