There are many ways to express your displeasure toward an official. We do not recommend Antoine Vermette’s way.
The Anaheim Ducks forward apparently had beef with a linesman after a third-period faceoff in Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Wild. But rather than speak to him about it, Vermette decided to wind up and whack the linesman with his stick.
I still cannot believe an NHL player slashed an official. Intentionally. pic.twitter.com/4y8ObDEjeP
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) February 15, 2017
Yeah, you can’t do that.
Unsurprisingly, Vermette was given a 10-minute game misconduct and immediately ejected. But his punishment might not end there. According to the NHL rule book, any player who “deliberately applies physical force to an official in any manner” faces an automatic suspension of no fewer than 10 games.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/831859065139634176
Ducks coach Randy Carlyle argued after Anaheim’s 1-0 win that Vermette didn’t intend to injure the official — more of a “friendly slash,” perhaps.
RC also said Vermette wasn't vicious and did it without malice but later added, "He touched the official. So what are you going to do."
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) February 15, 2017
But this was pretty blatant, so it’s hard to imagine Vermette skating without any discipline after his bone-headed decision.
Thumbnail photo via Sergei Belski/USA TODAY Sports Images
