Gillies faces disciplinary hearing

Trevor Gillies will fly to Toronto today for an in-person hearing at noon with league disciplinarian Colin Campbell regarding his hit on Minnesota Wild forward Cal Clutterbuck Wednesday that earned him a game misconduct.

Gillies, 32, was ejected after smashing Clutterbuck into the glass in retaliation for his hit on Islanders forward Justin DiBenedetto. It was his first game back since he served a nine-game ban for his elbow on the Penguins' Eric Tangradi.

Islanders general manager Garth Snow and Gillies' agent, Peter Cooney, will not accompany Gillies to the meeting but both will be conferenced in on the proceedings.

Given Gillies' status as a repeat offender - Wednesday's checking-from-behind major came only four shifts after returning from the nine-game ban - he is likely facing another significant suspension.

The fact that he will be meeting with the league face-to-face also is indicative of the gravity of the situation. A request for an in-person hearing usually signals a suspension of five games or more.

After the Islanders' 4-1 win over Minnesota Wednesday night, Gillies defended his hit.

"There was no intent at all to injure him," Gillies said. "I saw him hit [DiBenedetto] and I just made a hit on him . . . I hit him from the side."

Both Gillies and Islanders coach Jack Capuano said they didn't think Clutterbuck's back was fully turned. "I'm sure I've got a little bit of a target [on my back]," Gillies said. But that's for the league to decide."-