Buffalo Sabres Dan Catenacci Hit By Radko Gudas

Buffalo Sabres forward Dan Catenacci underwent concussion protocol after being hit by Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas, the team said Thursday.

Catenacci was hit by Gudas near the end of Thursday’s 5-1 loss.

The Buffalo Sabres forward was going after a loose puck alongside Chris VandeVelde near center ice.

Gudas appears to have charged into the play, delivering a check to Catenacci’s head. (Some have also called it an elbow.)

Catenacci laid on the ice before getting up; meanwhile, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe came to Catenacci’s defense, dropping the gloves with Gudas.

Here’s video of the hit:

Gudas received a five-minute charging major and a major for fighting as a result of the incident, which occured at the 16:27 mark.

McCabe picked up a fighting major, an instigator penalty and a game misconduct.

Note: Per NHL.com’s Joe Yerdon, the league rescinded McCabe’s late instigator penalty/punishment, making him eligible for Friday’s game.

After the game, Marcus Foligno – who fought Gudas earlier in the game after being kneed by him – had some choice words to say about the blueliner.

According to the Buffalo Sabres’ Twitter account, head coach Dan Bylsma said after the game that Catenacci was undergoing concussion protocol. There were no other updates.

Catenacci’s status for Friday’s game and going forward is uncertain at this point.

He did not skate at the Buffalo Sabres’ gameday morning practice on Friday.

Meanwhile, the NHL announced that there would be no supplemental discipline from the league for Gudas on the hit.

This seems to be a questionable decision, especially if we take a look at Rule 48.1, which states:

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"“A hit resulting in contact with an opponent’s head where the head was the main point of contact and such contact to the head was avoidable is not permitted. In determining whether contact with an opponent’s head was avoidable, the circumstances of the hit including the following shall be considered:(i) Whether the player attempted to hit squarely through the opponent’s body and the head was not “picked” as a result of poor timing, poor angle of approach, or unnecessary extension of the body upward or outward.(ii) Whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position by assuming a posture that made head contact on an otherwise full body check unavoidable.(iii) Whether the opponent materially changed the position of his body or head immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit in a way that significantly contributed to the head contact."

Catenacci was already engaged in the play with VandeVelde, so he had no time to avoid the charging Gudas.

But alas – there will be no suspension for the Flyers defenseman.

We should find out more in regards to Catenacci’s status soon, or at least know if he’s to miss Friday’s game.

Update: per NHL.com’s Joe Yerdon, Catenacci will miss Friday’s game, with a forward being recalled to slot in his place.

Next: Sabres Give Catenacci A Chance

The Buffalo Sabres host the Montreal Canadiens on Friday before hosting the Colorado Avalanche Sunday.