Canadian professional ice hockey right winger Wayne Simmonds has been ejected from their match against Toronto Leafs.
Simmonds currently plays for Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL) as a right wing. He was kicked out during the third period at a preseason opener.
The incident happened when Simmonds slightly bump Korbinian Holzer at the end of the play in which the latter got irritated. He went right away to Simmond in front of his face. Simmonds dropped the gloves and absolutely pummeled Holzer, for which No. 17 was given a five minute major for fighting and a misconduct.
Holzer is a German professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League whilst under contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League.
Simmonds was ejected because he violated Rule 46.5 which states:
"Any player who persists in continuing or attempting to continue a fight or altercation after he has been ordered by the Referee to stop, or who resists a Linesman in the discharge of his duties shall, at the discretion of the Referee, incur a misconduct or game misconduct penalty in addition to any penalties imposed."
Holzer said in a post game interview "I think you said it. Don't back off. He shoved me from behind into the boards after the whistle, so. You don't have to take everything, it doesn't matter who it is. I think a little push back doesn't hurt. Obviously I've got glue in my gloves. It always takes a little bit of time before I take them off. Other than that, he's a strong man and I just tried to hold on."
If the circumstances were different and Holzer also removed his gloves, would the results be any different? Many have speculated that it was an unfair call for Simmonds. Many said that his ejection from the game was premature and that the contact was not that big.
But on the other hand, it was still a preseason game and that the real deal will start in the season openings. Both teams would need to check on their performance in order to outlast each other.
