Arber Xhekaj in the hot seat again for dirty hit on Tim Stutzle

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Finnegan Frost
October 1, 2024 (7:16 PM)

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Looks Like Montreal Canadiens enforcer Arber Xhekaj is in hot water again after his massive open ice hit against Tim Stutzle.

According to Liam McCormick from Oilers Daily, Senators centre Tim Stutzle received a pass and quickly moved the puck while heading up the ice, and Arber Xhekaj had his sights set on him. After Stutzle had moved the puck, Xhekaj moved in to deliver an ugly high hit that sent Stutzle sprawling.

Xhekaj got in a brief scrum with Brady Tkachuk who took him down to the ice hard. Stutzle got to his feet with the assistance of the trainers, but looked woozy from the hit. Xhekaj was ejected from the game, and could be facing a suspension for the senseless hit against a star player in preseason. The Habs defenceman appeared to lean into contact with his elbow in Stutzle's head.

It was announced that Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk both left the game with injuries, a massive blow to the Ottawa Senators to say the least.

Just a few days ago, Arber Xhekaj was reprimanded for his beatdown of Maple Leafs Cedric Pare after a controversial knee on knee hit on Patrik Laine. Although the fine that was issued was somewhat justified, Xhekaj was deliberately head hunting here. Patrik Laine is now out for the remainder of the year. Again, Xhekaj is looking a another fine and a possible suspension.

Hopefully both Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle are both going to be okay, having both star players out with the regular season around the corner could be disastorous for the Ottawa Senators.

source: Oilers Daily
Arber Xhekaj ejected and could face suspension for open ice hit on Tim Stutzle