Thursday's game was one to forget for the Montreal Canadiens. The first period saw them allow seven goals, change their goaltender and by the time the middle of the second period came around,
Samuel Montembeault, who started, was back between the pipes and the Panthers had
nine goals on the board.
The frustration started to set in for the team during the third period and after a whistle late in the frame, Montreal Canadiens captain
Nick Suzuki let his emotions get the best of him and was ejected from the game for cross-checking
Anton Lundell.
It's hard to tell at first in the video below, as that's the only angle that has been made available, but if you zoom in, Suzuki's second cross-check to Lundell catches the young Finn either in the face or the chin, which would certainly warrant a five-minute major and a game misconduct. The officials reviewed it briefly and the call on the ice stood, giving Suzuki the first ejection of his NHL career.
Canadiens rookie defenceman
Johnathan Kovacevic was also tossed and was given a game misconduct. It wasn't specified as to why, but it's more than likely due to the fact he was the third man in.
While it's completely understandable to be frustrated, Suzuki went a little too far tonight and it's not often you see the 23-year-old lose his cool. As a matter of fact, during his time in the OHL, Suzuki was named the league's Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year
THREE seasons in a row.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety will probably be taking a look at this tomorrow, but given that Suzuki has no previous history, he'll likely be looking at a fine, rather than a suspension.
What are your thoughts on the call? Did the officials make the right decision by giving Suzuki a five-minute major and a game misconduct? Let us know what you think the poll below!
DID THE OFFICIALS MAKE THE RIGHT CALL BY EJECTING SUZUKI FROM THE GAME? MARCH 16 203 ANSWERS |
| YES | 62 | 30.5 % |
| NO | 114 | 56.2 % |
| SEE RESULTS | 27 | 13.3 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
