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Secondly, Domi has done something like this before. During a game at the end of the 2015-16 season, the Arizona Coyotes were about to finish off a frustrating 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. It was within the final minutes of the game, and Ryan Garbutt got a decently big hit on star defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Domi quickly chased Garbutt down, threw a cross-check, spun him around and started to feed him some punches.
Completely different circumstances, but Domi was given an automatic one-game suspension for instigating a fight in the final minutes of a game. And he may receive some supplemental discipline for this incident as well as NHL Player Safety announced a hearing for Thursday to review the event.
Montreal’s Max Domi will have a hearing tomorrow for roughing/ punch to an unsuspecting opponent against Florida’s Aaron Ekblad.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) September 20, 2018
Objectively, I understand the need to punish this. It was a preseason game that is not so much about winning and more about evaluation. Domi was heated and felt the need to act, however, I personally don’t agree with the action. This isn’t to come down on him, but in the heat of the moment, he made a mistake. We’re all human.
It’s also important to remember that with the increased focus on concussion concerns, these are things the league is trying to cut down on.
Suspending Domi for the rest of the preseason makes sense, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see them dive into the regular season a bit. In fact, a decision could see Domi being allowed to play preseason games while getting suspended for a game or two in the regular season.
It’s an unfortunate set of circumstances, but things that come out of playing the game. The decision now falls in the hands of NHL Player Safety. But what do you think? Should Domi be suspended?