Kings forward Brendan Lemieux will not skate for Los Angeles’ next five games.
Lemieux will sit out a five-match suspension after he nibbled Brady Tkachuk’s left hand during the Kings’ 4-2 win on Saturday night. He will also forfeit $38,750 in wages. He was initially assessed as an in-play penalty and sent out of the game, but the NHL Player Safety Bureau announced the suspension and fine on Tuesday. after further review.
The video review shows Lemieux socializing with Tkachuk from behind. Then the two go down to grapple on the ice. The camera angle shows Tkachuk’s hand caught in Lemieux’s face before they were forcibly separated by officials.
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Although Tkachuk got up and explained to officials that Lemieux bit him – he even showed off his bloody right hand – the NHL explained that the suspension was the result of the first bite to his left hand. of Tkachuk as they fell into the ice.
“This is not a hockey game,” the NHL said. “This is a player who delivers a powerful, intentional and potentially dangerous bite to another player’s hand with enough force to puncture the skin. Such actions will not be tolerated.”
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The suspension – this time for biting – marks the third of Lemieux’s career. Most recently, he was given a two-match suspension in 2020 for an illegal check on Avalanche striker Joonas Donskoi. He was also given a two-match suspension in 2018 for an illegal check against then-Panthers frontman Vincent Trocheck.
Lemieux has played 14 games this season after being transferred to Los Angeles from Rangers on March 27. He has a total of four goals with one assist and five points.
Tkachuk may still be unhappy with the kings ahead. After the Kings defeated the Senators at home on Saturday night, Tkachuk shared his thoughts on the incident. He shouted, shared many insults and said, “Kids don’t even do that anymore. Children do it,” per columnist Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.
