Just 20 seconds into the Washington Capitals’ Saturday night game against the Calgary Flames, Alex Ovechkin was already setting the tone with a solid bodycheck.
The problem? It was on referee Kelly Sutherland, who got caught in the Caps’ offensive zone cycle. Ovechkin, to his (dis)credit, didn’t appear to hold up on the hit. He completed his check with a nice follow-through with his right shoulder.
Ovechkin hits referee Kelly Sutherland (via RMNB)
Sutherland took the hit and got right back up, not missing any time.
Unfortunately for Ovechkin, the hit didn’t count in his stat totals, leaving him tied for 10th place with teammate Brooks Orpik and Ranger winger Tanner Glass at 29 for the season.
