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Watch: Utah rookie Maveric Lamoureux fights P.O. Joseph before ejection for kneeing Alexey Toropchenko
Rookie Maveric Lamoureux dropped the gloves, taking on P.O. Joseph during the second period of the Utah Hockey Club’s tilt with the St. Louis Blues.
The fisticuffs ensued following Lamoureux’s knee-on-knee collision with Alexy Toropchenko. Joseph immediately retaliated against Lamoureux’s leading to the Utah rookie’s first NHL fight. Lamoureux held his own as he went toe-to-toe with Joseph, getting in some strong punches.
Check out the wild action here:
After the dust settled, Maveric Lamoureux got a five-minute major for fighting. He then got a game misconduct for the knee-on-knee hit on Toropchecko. Meanwhile, Joseph got two minutes for instigating, five for the fight, and a game misconduct.
Toropchenko got up after the play and skated away on his own. However, there is no telling if he sustained a significant injury at this point.
Toropchenko got up after the play and skated away on his own. However, there is no telling if he sustained a significant injury at this point.
Maveric Lamoureux ejection questionable
Utah Hockey Club beat reporter Cole Bagley called Maveric Lamoureux’s ejection into question. Bagley Tweeted his thoughts regarding the initial hit on Alexey Toropchenko that led to Lamoureux squaring off against Joseph and his subsequent game misconduct:
“Lamoureux is ejected after the hit he delivered that led to the fight...I'd say that's questionable. He's a big body with a wide stance and was trying to play the puck.”
While Bagley does have a point insofar as Maveric Lamoureux merely trying to play the puck, the replay does not conclusively show that Lamoureux attempted to avoid the collision. As such, the ejection is warranted based on a player safety perspective.
As for the fight, Joseph’s reaction was also justifiable. The altercation happened immediately following the play on the ice, unlike Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj who waited after the initial play to stalk Cedric Pare of the Toronto Maple Leafs for his hit on Patrik Laine.
There’s another issue to consider as part of the fallout from this episode. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety (DoPS) will surely review the play after the game. If the DoPS feels the hit was intentional, Lamoureux could face a fine or suspension.
While it remains to be seen whether disciplinary action will be taken, Lamoureux’s hit was questionable. Lamoureux could have made more of an effort to avoid the collision in the first place. Unfortunately, the fast pace of professional hockey often leaves little time to react.
The good news is that Alexey Toropchenko appeared to be fine, as he stayed in the game playing over 14 minutes.
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