James Anastasio, 29, of Staten Island, was arrested and booked for six charges after brutally sucker-punching a Tampa Bay Lightning fan following the Rangers’ 3-1 loss to the Lightning on June 9 in New York.
Fight at MSG #NYR #NoQuitInNY #Fights #TampaBay pic.twitter.com/xxL9oD1if1
— Scott Kaplan (@ScottKaplanOn) June 10, 2022
According to the NYPD, a Good Samaritan witnessed the incident and tried to stop the assailant, who then punched him in the face too.
Anastasia was sentenced to an anger management program with 200 hours of community service and a full order of protection to keep him away from the victim, said a spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
The NYPD officer who arrested the assailant is a big #Isles fan, I’m told. And made sure to tell him so as he cuffed him. https://t.co/gxQgOg1d70
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) June 10, 2022
Anastasia’s attorney, Jason Goldman said on Wednesday that, “this speedy resolution aligns with James’ desire to take responsibility. None of us should be judged by our worst 30 seconds, and he is grateful to learn from this experience without having to spend a single day in jail.”
Madison Square Garden banned Anastasio for life following his arrest.
By Jon Sorensen