New Jersey Devils center Paul Cotter was given a game misconduct for an illegal check to the head of New York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech during Sunday's NHL Metropolitan Division matchup at the Prudential Center in Newark.
It happened at the six minute mark of the second period with the game still scoreless. The Devils just cleared the puck out of their own end towards center ice with Cotter chasing it and Pelech approaching it from the other end. Pelech reached the puck first, and just as he shot the puck back across the Devils blue line, Cotter checked Pelech in the head with his arm and shoulder, knocking him to the ice.
Paul Cotter was given a match penalty for this hit on Adam Pelech
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 13, 2025
Pelech got up and was FURIOUS at Cotter 😳 pic.twitter.com/OESobMUf28
Pelech got up with blood dripping from his nose. He was clearly furious with Cotter and had some choice words for him on his way to the locker room. He did not return to the game.
A bloodied Adam Pelech to Paul Cotter after his illegal check to his head:
— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) April 13, 2025
“You f---ing dunce! F--- you!” pic.twitter.com/NvUZ7QparR
Cotter received a major penalty for the illegal check, and upon further review, the officials gave him a game misconduct. From our standpoint, this was the right call as Pelech was in a vulnerable position and Cotter could have made an effort to avoid the contact. In addition, the league's Player Safety department will be reviewing the play for a possible suspension.
New Jersey’s Paul Cotter will have a hearing tomorrow for an illegal check to the head against NY Islanders’ Adam Pelech.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 13, 2025
We have seen plenty of illegal checks to the head over the years, and they can be ugly. You never want to see anyone get hurt like this, especially when it is completely avoidable. We hope Pelech is OK.
In the end, karma came back to bite the Devils as the Isles won the game 1-0.
UPDATE: Cotter has been suspended two games.
