New York Islanders forward Anders Lee was given a major penalty and a game misconduct for kneeing during Sunday’s game against the New Jersey Devils for a hit on Nico Hischier.
The Devils’ captain was stickhandling at the blueline when Lee, cutting laterally across the ice, delivered a knee-on-knee hit.
New Jersey’s Timo Meier objected to the illegal contact and went after Lee, with both players dropping the gloves.
“Pretty clear that I did not like the hit,” Meier said. “It was a dirty hit. I sort of stepped in and let him know.”
Lee was given a major penalty for kneeing by referees Michael Markovic and Chris Rooney. The officials reviewed the play, confirming their call and ending Lee’s night.
Kneeing is covered in Rule 50:
Kneeing is the act of a player leading with his knee and in some cases extending his leg outwards to make contact with his opponent.
The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a minor [or major] penalty, based on the severity of the infraction, to a player guilty of kneeing an opponent. When a player has been assessed a major penalty for kneeing he shall also be assessed a Game Misconduct.
The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a match penalty if, in his judgment, the player attempted to or deliberately injured his opponent by kneeing.
The Isles’ captain also picked up five for fighting; Meier earning a matching five, along with a minor penalty and a misconduct for instigating the altercation.
Hischier was injured on the play; after a check up with the medical staff, he returned for the third period of the game.
The New Jersey Devils defeated the New York Islanders 4-0. Referees for the game were Michael Markovic (#31) and Chris Rooney (#5), with linespersons Tyson Baker (#88) and Matt MacPherson (#83).
