Devils' Noesen gets match penalty for hit to head of Sabres' Thompson

New Jersey Devils forward Stefan Noesen was assessed a match penalty and a game misconduct for a hit to the head of Buffalo Sabres star Tage Thompson in the third period of Sunday's contest.

Noesen caught Thompson as he reached for a puck near the New Jersey blue line. Thompson didn't return to the contest.

However, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said postgame that Thompson is "good" and "passed all the tests," according to The Buffalo News' Lance Lysowski.

Ruff also discussed the team's lack of response to the hit.

"I know I had a couple guys that wanted to go after him right away," Ruff added. "Where we were at in the game, there was going to be a time we were going to even the score."

New Jersey scored on Buffalo's ensuing power play, but the Sabres held on to win 4-3.

When Ruff was asked further about the outside perception that his team didn't have the edge to respond, the coach snapped back.

"Bullshit. Bullshit. Let's go. Next question," he said, cutting off a reporter's question.

Captain Rasmus Dahlin said the team's reaction to the hit is something that "cannot happen again," per WGR's Brian Koziol.

Thompson entered the game leading the Sabres with 45 points in 46 games, and had a goal and two assists in the contest.

Noesen has 30 points in 51 games and ranks third on the Devils with 98 hits.