Dallas Stars left winger Ryan Garbutt carried on the Stanley Cup playoffs’ spearing tradition by hitting Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry below the belt during the first period of Friday night’s game.
Garbutt, who is no stranger to aggressive plays, received a game misconduct and a five-minute major penalty as Perry laid on the ice for several moments before leaving for the bench. He returned to the game minutes later.
“I was coming back to the bench and got careless with my stick,” Garbutt said via The Dallas Morning News. “It was definitely something I didn’t want to do.”
Despite Garbutt’s carelessness claim, Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau insists the previous infractions prove the slash was on purpose.
“It was deliberate,” Boudreau said. “It wasn’t an accident, but we know that’s how he plays.”
Perry also has dealt with consequences for cheap shots, receiving a minor penalty after spearing Stars forward Jamie Benn in the groin in Game 2 of the series, which the Ducks now lead 3-2.
Check out Garbutt’s penalty-earning spear in the GIF below.
GIF via CBS Sports
UPDATE: Garbutt will not be suspended for the exchange, but the NHL is fining him the maximum amount allowed under the CBA.
[tweet https://twitter.com/NHLPlayerSafety/status/460152228045934592 align=’center’]
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@PuqMag
