Already dominating play in their Monday night game against the Anaheim Ducks at Capital One Arena, the Capitals kicked up their intense play with some back-and-forth physical play with the visitors in the second period. However, the tempers boiled over in the final minute of the second period following a huge hit by Brendan Leipsic.
With the Caps already up 2-0 on a night in which John Carlson extended his personal scoring streak, the play between the two clubs began to rise in intensity as the closing minute of the second frame drew near. However, as Chandler Stephenson potted a wicked wrist shot past Anaheim netminder John Gibson, Brendan Leipsic was causing a stir with three Anaheim defenders after a huge hit on the Ducks’ Derek Grant.
Leipsic has had ENOUGH. pic.twitter.com/jaEZx7hj0Q
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 19, 2019
The hit was followed by mayhem, as Garnet Hathaway joined the fray, landing a few fists to Grant, before being separated by the officials, who were also attempting to separate Leipsic from the melee. However, things would not die down as Nick Ritchie and Erik Gudbranson became involved, and once the dust settled, both teams were handed a healthy dose of penalty minutes. The most notable of the infractions was a match penalty handed to Hathaway for spitting on Gudbranson.
Video: NBC Sports Washington
The match penalty immediately requires Hathaway to be suspended for one game, pending a review from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. The Capitals’ next game is on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers. The full compliment of penalties is as follows:
Oh look, an addendum. Too much to get all at once, so after the second intermission, they slip that Grant major in there. At least makes me feel better about my eyesight. #CapsDucks pic.twitter.com/vFHEeUwi4n
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) November 19, 2019
Right before the melee broke out, Chandler Stephenson scored on an assist from Hathaway, to give the Caps a 3-0 lead at the time of the goal.
Stevie made it 3-0 before all h-e double hockey sticks broke out 💪 pic.twitter.com/6fbmcUi5Vg
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 19, 2019
After the game, Hathaway expressed regret for his actions:
First Hathaway said “Spit cane out of my mouth after I got sucker punched and it went onto him.” But then said there’s no place for it. “It was an emotional play by me and you don’t plan any of that stuff in your head, and it was a quick reaction and unfortunately the wrong one”
— Adam Zielonka (@Adam_Zielonka) November 19, 2019
By Michael Fleetwood