Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley has been suspended one game for sucker-punching Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators.
Midway through the third period, the two players collided in front of the Sens bench, getting tangled up and shoving each other. Stanley escalated things by dropping the gloves and catching an unsuspecting Tkachuk with a right.
Stanley was issued two minutes for roughing for the punch along with two minutes for removing an opponent’s helmet. Tkachuk picked up a 10-minute misconduct for unsportmandlike conduct for yelling at Stanley and the Winnipeg bench after the punch.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has tacked on an additional one game ban for the Jets’ blueliner.
“I obviously wasn’t happy getting suckered, but the league made its decision, and I’m over it,” said Tkachuk. “Honestly, I was still watching the play, then out of the corner of my eye I see the punch coming. Caught me by surprise, I didn’t really expect it.”
From Player Safety:
Tkachuk finishes a check on Stanley by the players’ bench and the two become entangled, with Stanley grabbing onto Tkachuk and causing his helmet to come off.
As the two are tied up, Tkachuk continues to monitor the play and gives no indication he is prepared for the interaction to escalate to a fight. While Tkachuk is focused on the play, Stanley sheds both gloves and throws a hard, bare-knuckle punmch directly to the face of Tkachuk. This is roughing.
It is important to note that at no point in this altercation does Tkachuk show any interest in participating in a fight. Tkachuk’s gloves remain on his hands and he gives no indication that he is a willing or suspecting combatant as he continues to monitor the play down ice rather than focusing directly on Stanley.
With no reason to suspect that Tkachuk is ready or willing to fight, Stanley still drops his gloves and delivers a forceful bare-fisted punch to Tkachuk’s face at a time when Tkachuk is not poised to defend himself.
Tkachuk commented on his decision not to drop the gloves with Stanley.
“Obviously, [fighting] is a part of who I am and a part of creating room for myself and my teammates,” Tkachuk said. “Now, I’ve got to be smart. I think people forget I had surgery; I missed six weeks. And the repair went well [but] I’m not going to put myself at risk to miss any time for that… I miss it, I wish I could be fighting.”
Stanley had not previously been fined nor suspended by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. He forfeits $6,510.42 in salary as a result of the suspension.
The Ottawa Senators went on to defeat the Winnipeg Jets 4-2. Officials for the game were referees Eric Furlatt (#27) and Gord Dwyer (#19), with James Tobias (#61) and Jonathan Deschamps (#80) on lines.
