Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Pezzetta picked up a game misconduct for abuse of officials after shoving linesman Ryan Gibbons during Monday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.
Pezzetta earned a minor penalty for roughing early in the third period for taking some liberties with Radko Gudas after a hit into the boards. As he as being escorted to the penalty box, Pezzetta attempted to get away from Gibbons and go after Gudas.
Gibbons wrestled the winger away and admonished him before leading him to the penalty box… and then eventually off the ice.
The Leafs winger picked up a 10-minute misconduct penalty along with the abuse of officials call, under Rule 39:
Misconduct penalties shall be assessed under this rule for … (vi) Any penalized player who does not proceed directly to the penalty bench when instructed to do so by an official.
Thankfully for Pezzetta, he stopped just short of physical abuse of officials, which is covered under Rule 40:
Any player who deliberately applies physical force in any manner against an official, in any manner attempts to injure an official, physically demeans, or deliberately applies physical force to an official solely for the purpose of getting free of such an official during or immediately following an altercation shall receive a game misconduct penalty.
That penalty also requires an automatic suspension:
Automatic Suspension – Category III – Any player who, by his actions, physically demeans an official or physically threatens an official by (but not limited to) throwing a stick or any other piece of equipment or object at or in the general direction of an official, shooting the puck at or in the general direction of an official, spitting at or in the general direction of an official, or who deliberately applies physical force to an official solely for the purpose of getting free of such an official during or immediately following an altercation shall be suspended for not less than three (3) games.
Pezzetta was close, just barely avoiding a three-game suspension.
The Toronto Maple Leafs went on to defeat the Anaheim Ducks 5-4. Referees for the game were Wes McCauley (#4) and T.J. Luxmore (#21) with linespersons Bevan Mills (#53) and Ryan Gibbons (#58).
