Stars’ Jason Demers ejected after boarding Cal Clutterbuck (Video)

The Dallas Stars lost to the New York Islanders 6-5 on Sunday and also lost Jason Demers early in the second period after the defenseman was ejected for a hit on Cal Clutterbuck.

With the score tied at two, a puck scramble ended up along the boards in the Islanders’ zone. After Clutterbuck shuffled the puck away, he was down on one knee up against the boards. That’s when Demers came from the face-off circle and hit the forward.

Demers was given five minutes for boarding and a game misconduct. After a brief time away, Clutterbuck returned to the game and his second goal of the night — a shorthanded tally — ended up as the game winner. The Islanders would score once during the five-minute power play.

Should there be any supplemental discipline from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety? Clutterbuck wasn’t injured on the play, but Demers has already been suspended two games this season after an elbow on Nick Bonino of the Pittsburgh Penguins in October. 

Said Stars head coach Lindy Ruff after the game, via Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: “I think the guy who got hit has a history of diving. I looked at the play, and don’t think (Demers) elbowed him, I don’t think he did anything, really. And (Clutterbuck) didn’t seem to be hurt, but he sold it pretty good. Maybe (Demers) deserved a minor penalty, that’s my take on it.”

The hit was pretty unnecessary considering Clutterbuck’s position, where the puck was and Demers’ path to the Islanders forward. We’d be bet on a hearing coming up for the Stars’ defenseman.

Stick-tap 647 hockeyvids for the video

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy

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