NHL fans are left split after Toronto’s Michael Bunting is SHOVED off the ice by a linesman with some demanding punishment for ‘physically abusing’ a player, while others claim ‘it’s the official’s job’.
- A scrum broke out as Pierre-Edouard Bellemare drilled Mitch Marner into the boards
- Marner’s teammates quickly came to his defense, including Michael Bunting
- Linesman Dan Kelly forcefully ushered the forward towards Toronto’s tunnel
- NHL fans were left divided by the incident, some claiming it was ‘unacceptable’
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NHL fans have been left divided after a linesman shoved Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting off the ice during Toronto’s win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.
With the Leafs leading 1-0 in the dying seconds of the first courtesy of Bunting’s eighth goal of the season, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare drilled Mitch Marner into the boards.
Marner’s teammates quickly came to his defense, including Bunting, who grabbed a piece of Anthony Cirelli and Mikhail Sergachev.
Linesman Dan Kelly shoved Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting off the ice on Tuesday
Linesman Dan Kelly intervened swiftly, pulling him away and ushering him towards Toronto’s tunnel.
Kelly was rather forceful in getting Bunting off the ice, pushing him several times causing the player to nearly trip over.
The Leafs forward looked baffled and appeared to shout: ‘What the f*** are you doing? That was crazy.’
Fans on social media shared Bunting’s amazement, insisting it was not acceptable for an official to ‘physically abuse’ a player.
On Twitter, one user posted: ‘If players can’t touch refs, refs shouldn’t touch players unless it’s for safety (ie breaking up a fight, someone is hurt).’
The incident left NHL fans divided with some claiming officials shouldn’t touch players
‘It’s a bad look,’ another claimed. ‘Physically abusing a player. A poorly trained official. There are many different ways to handle this. The chosen method is not one of them. Expect discipline of some description.’
Others pointed out that the forward would have been suspended by the league if he had done the same to the referee.
‘Since when is it acceptable for an official to manhandle a player,’ one NHL fan questioned. ‘Imagine the reaction of fans, media etc.. if Bunting pushed the linesman he’d be suspended. It’s just another example the NHL is a bush league!’
Some fans insisted it was not acceptable for an official to ‘physically abuse’ a player
However, some fans disagreed, claiming Bunting was in the wrong for refusing to leave the ice and insisting the official was simply doing his job.
‘Um… respectfully… it’s the official’s job to remove him from the ice,’ one Twitter user argued. ‘He likely had other protagonists to deal with and had to ‘encourage’ him. Complete unacceptable for the player to fight the orders of the official. He should be suspended.’
Another claimed it was Bunting’s fault, adding: ‘The amount of people sour over the linesman and bunting situation is wild. Get off the ice when asked by an official. If you can’t take the hint after being told and nudged that’s your own dumb fault.’
However, others disagreed, claiming Bunting was in the wrong for refusing to leave the ice
Another agreed, writing: ‘Maybe Bunting should listen to the refs when they tell him to leave? Everyone’s blaming Kelly but nothing would have happened if Bunting just left the ice when told to do so.’
‘Bunting wasn’t leaving the ice,’ one NHL supporter chimed in. ‘The linesman was directing him off the ice the same way anyone would. This is what it looks like when the player resists.’
Bunting and Bellemare received off-setting roughing penalties for their actions. Bunting is often caught up in scrums but this could be the first time he’s been involved in an altercation with an official.
The forward scored his 100th NHL point as Toronto went on to secure a dominating 4-1 win
However, following the game, Bunting played down the fiery incident. He explained: ‘Emotions were high. It’s hockey. And move on from it. It’s not really that big of a deal.’
The Maple Leafs went on to secure a dominant 4-1 win, ending the Lightning’s five-game winning streak.
Bunting, who had his 100th NHL point, Pierre Engvall and William Nylander also scored for Toronto. Matt Murray made 18 saves. Engvall and Nylander, who added assists, scored into an empty net late.
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