Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark picked up a misconduct during Sunday’s Game 4 against the Florida Panthers after he dropped the gloves and went after Matthew Tkachuk.
A tough battle at the Boston net continued even after the puck was cleared out of the zone. Defensemen Derek Forbort and Brandon Carlo pushed Tkachuk out of the crease, knocking him to the ice. Florida’s Brandon Montour came flying next, followed by reinforcements from both teams.
As linesman Matt MacPherson helped Tkachuk off the ice and away from the crowd, the Panthers forward grabbed Ullmark. The Bruins goaltender answered the bell, dropping his gloves before referee T.J. Luxmore came in and spoiled the fun kept the goaltender safely separated from Tkachuk.
A total of 52 penalty minutes were assessed on the play: 27 to Boston and 25 to Florida.
Montour and Forbort picked up matching fighting majors, with an extra two for roughing to Forbort. Boston’s Ullmark and Jake Debrusk picked up ten-minute misconducts, as did the Panthers’ Sam Bennett and Tkachuk.
The NHL rulebook specifies that a misconduct penalty to a goaltender can be served by a member of his team, allowing the goalie to remain in the game. Unlike minor penalties, Ullmark’s penalty was served by David Pastrnak.
27.3 Misconduct Penalty to Goalkeeper – Should a goalkeeper on the ice incur a misconduct penalty, this penalty shall be served by another member of his team who was on the ice when the offense was committed. This player is to be designated by the Manager or Coach of the offending team through the Captain.
27.4 Game Misconduct Penalty to Goalkeeper – Should a goalkeeper incur a game misconduct penalty, his place will then be taken by a member of his own Club, or by a regular substitute goalkeeper who is available, and such player will be allowed the goalkeeper’s full equipment.
Ullmark, though, headed off to the locker room. His penalty was served by David Pastrnak; backup goaltender Jeremy Swayman took his spot in the crease for the final 3:11 of action.
UPDATE: The Boston Globe’s Matt Porter reports that Ullmark was allowed to remain in the game by the officials. He was pulled by head coach Jim Montgomery “in case the Panthers tried anything else.”
The Bruins netminder leads all goalies with 10 penalty minutes this postseason, which puts him tied for 32nd in the playoffs when you include skaters.
The Boston Bruins won the game 6-2 to take a 3-1 series lead. Referees for the game were Dan O’Rourke (#9) and T.J. Luxmore (#21); linesmen were Matt MacPherson (#83) and Jesse Marquis (#86).
