Milan Lucic’s controversial hit sparks Oilers-Flames brawl

Gamers from each the Flames and Oilers dog-piled on the ice throughout a third-period brawl in Recreation 3 of the second-round Stanley Cup playoff sequence on Sunday evening.

Flames ahead Milan Lucic charged Oilers goalie Mike Smith, who was dealing with the puck behind the online, together with his again turned away on the time.

Lucic’s laborious hit smashed Smith in opposition to the boards, inflicting him to lose his helmet. Gamers from each groups shortly skated over to intervene whereas punches flew behind the online. The Oilers have been up 4-0 on the time within the Battle of Alberta, because of Evander Kane’s hat trick.

Lucic’s penalty included a five-minute main for charging and a 10-minute recreation misconduct. Edmonton’s Zack Kassian, Tyson Barie, and Brett Kulak acquired two minutes apiece for roughing — the identical penalty Flames gamers Nikita Zadorov, Trevor Lewis, and Brett Ritchie acquired.

Milan Lucic smashes Mike Smith into the boards during the Flames-Oilers playoff game.
Milan Lucic smashes Mike Smith into the boards through the Flames-Oilers playoff recreation.
Getty Pictures

“I don’t assume my head hit something,” Smith stated after the sport. “My helmet got here off, however I didn’t get hit within the head. I didn’t actually know what occurred. I used to be taking part in the puck, and the subsequent factor I do know, I’m getting buried into the top boards.”

Smith was pressured to depart the sport because of the NHL’s concussion protocol and was changed by backup Mikko Koskinen, who didn’t face a shot in his 4:19 within the web.

Smith returned to a standing ovation earlier than he gave up a purpose to Flames defenseman Oliver Kylington. However it wasn’t sufficient to beat the Oilers, who topped the Flames 4-1 in Recreation 3 to take a 2-1 sequence lead.

Calgary coach Darryl Sutter stated he believed Lucic tried to decelerate whereas approaching Smith earlier than the collision.

Oilers and Flames scuffle in Game 3
Oilers and Flames scuffle in Recreation 3
USA TODAY Sports activities

“They referred to as [it a penalty for] charging, right? Are you able to think about if Looch did cost?” Sutter stated. “What would have occurred there? He truly tried to gradual it down slightly bit, I believe. However it's what it's, it’s the rating [being 4-0] and who it was and that’s what they referred to as.”

The Oilers host the Flames for Recreation 4 on Tuesday.

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