Domi sucker punches Ekblad.

[Godin]

Suspension? Not sure what led up to it but it looked pretty bad for Domi.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/nhl...=mailsignoutmd

[2014olympicgold]

I don't think he misses NHL regular season games.

---EDIT---
Let me make my statement clear. I think he should be suspended regular season games, but I don't think he will.

[mounD]

This dude makes it really easy not to like him.

[Stalinism]

I know, he put on the Habs jersey.

In all seriousness, he will get the remainder of the pre-season and maybe a game at most

[Shift Disturber]

Chip off the 'ol block!

[Godin]

This dude makes it really easy not to like him.

I've liked him and thought going to Montreal might be good for him but this won't help and Florida is hoping he will be in the line up next time they play.

[finnys_fanatsy]

maybe im missing something here...it wasn't as bad as i though it was gonna be given the criticism.

they were staring at each other the whole time, its not like he ran up behind him and punched him from behind. jeez if this is a "sucker punch" then things have really gotten light out there...

_____EDIT_______

ok, so Ekblad didnt want to drop teh gloves.. i get that part....

[PenguinHunter]

maybe im missing something here...it wasn't as bad as i though it was gonna be given the criticism.

they were staring at each other the whole time, its not like he ran up behind him and punched him from behind. jeez if this is a "sucker punch" then things have really gotten light out there...

_____EDIT_______

ok, so Ekblad didnt want to drop teh gloves.. i get that part....

This was my thought... I thought that Ekblad was maybe caught from behind.

Does anyone know what Ekblad was saying? Is it potential that Ekblad said something along the lines of 'Hit me buddy, come one' or some rude comment about something...

In other words is it possible that Max was enticed to hit him?

I see a sucker punch as a punch on someone who is not able to defend themselves (lying on the ground being held by the ref) or facing the opposite direct (a la Todd Bertuzzi), not when you are facing the guy and 'talking' to him.

[Jouko-Pouko]

This was my thought... I thought that Ekblad was maybe caught from behind.

Does anyone know what Ekblad was saying? Is it potential that Ekblad said something along the lines of 'Hit me buddy, come one' or some rude comment about something...

In other words is it possible that Max was enticed to hit him?

I see a sucker punch as a punch on someone who is not able to defend themselves (lying on the ground being held by the ref) or facing the opposite direct (a la Todd Bertuzzi), not when you are facing the guy and 'talking' to him.

So when someone says a bad word to you, it's OK to punch him in the face? Adults should have some amount of self-control, we're not dealing with kindergartners here.

[ACC90]

I agree that it wasn't a "sucker punch" like Bertuzzi.
And yes we don't know what Ekblad said, it's probably impossible that Domi tried to beat him like that for the fun and to impress (it's not his role)

BUT, I think Domi deserve at least one regular season suspension (I'm a habs fan) to send at least a message that when a player don't want to fight, you can't punch him like that.

I know that hockey is not the same than 10 years ago, but I'm really concerned about the size habs lineup right now
I think the bigger man is Armia and Joel "Past due" Ward (Deslauriers injured).. Byron fought with Huberdeau yesterday for example

[Godin]

Unless I missed something, Domi was clearly looking for a fight and Ekblad wasn't. Doesn't matter what Ekblad said. If trash talking meant you were looking for a fight, there would be no trash talking so when you hit someone who wasn't willing, that's a sucker punch. Hence the match penalty.

Also, I'm sure there were plenty of willing participants that would have obliged Domi considering this was an exhibition game. If you want to be a tough guy, fight a tough guy.

[Wonko]

Certainly not a sucker punch, but not a gentlemanly thing to do either. Obviously Ekblad did not want to fight, and Domi was out of line, but in that situation a player should be at least prepared to defend himself. I am not sure what Ekblad was thinking. Like others have said, we don't know what was said between the two but seems odd that Ekblad was not prepared for the possibility of being punched. Especially after the first few little jabs.

At any rate, not very classy on Domi's part, but certainly not an egregious offence or sucker punch either IMO. A sucker punch implies the other person never had any inkling the punch was coming (Bertuzzi). Here Ekblad had lots of warning and they were both face to face in the classic hockey fighting stance.

[als_revenge]

It doesn't even look like Ekblad is looking at Domi when he throws that punch. It's a sucker punch, just as it's labelled in the article. My guess is that there will be very little reaction from the NHL's wheel of justice...

[Godin]

Just watched it again and Eklund didn't even look at Domi and it didn't look like he said anything either. It was totally unprovoked and to make matters worse, Domi actually dropped his glove. Definitely a suspension coming here, but I guess that's pretty much a given when you get a match.

Oh, and as for Bertuzzi, that was an all out premeditated assault.

[tropheus_guy]

Both at fault ... Ekblad is engaged, turtles and looks away, what a weak ass move for a big strong D-man; Domi just lost it, and has to lose a few regular season games at least. Im sure his dad said wtf, you a first line centre? or a goon?

What did the brilliant Habs GM have to say? I love this stuff.