Edmonton Oilers: Zack Kassian suspended for two games

The Battle of Alberta wound up getting Edmonton Oilers forward Zack Kassian suspended for two games.

Edmonton Oilers forward Zack Kassian has been suspended for two games and fined following the emotional events that took place on Saturday, January 11 during the Battle of Alberta. This announcement comes from the NHL player safety Twitter account saying, “Edmonton’s Zack Kassian has been suspended for two games under Rule 46.2 (Aggressor) for an altercation with Calgary’s Matthew Tkachuk.”

The aggressor rule states, “The aggressor in an altercation shall be the player who continues to throw punches in an attempt to inflict punishment on his opponent who is in a defenseless position or who is an unwilling combatant.”

At the time of the hit, Kassian was dealt a double minor and a 10-minute game misconduct. The double minor ended up costing his team the game as the Flames started the third period with a power play where Elias Lindholm scored the game-winning goal.

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The storyline that sticks is the conflict between Tkachuk and Kassian. Tkachuk is widely known around the league for being the player most fanbases love to hate. He has perfected the art of getting under the skin of his opponents and as a result, draws many penalties. The hits and chirps on Kassian seemed to have got to him more than usual during the game in Calgary.

In the second period, Tkachuk was headed towards Kassian with speed and just before making contact with him along the boards turned his hips to brace for a safer impact.

Kassian was blindsided and upon closer review, you can hear his linemates telling him to put his head up and brace for the impact of Tkachuk. The hit at first glance looks nasty.

One that may put Tkachuk in front of league representatives. However, it was ruled as a clean hit. You can make your own deductions based on this link.

Kassian immediately retaliates and pulls Tkachuk by the jersey and slams him on the ice twice. Not giving him much of an opportunity to fight back or even defend himself. This is the argument made by NHL player safety that rule Tkachuk had no opportunity to fight back and was put at risk by the actions of Kassian.

Other Flames players witnessing this were unable to jump to his aid either with Elias Lindholm being held back by former Flame, James Neal and Connor McDavid holding back Captain, Mark Giordano. Both would have knocked knuckles to stick up for Tkachuk.

Brian Burke said during the second intermission that he believed it was a clean hit and, “You shouldn’t have to fight after a clean hit.” Oilers players and fans disagree about the “cleanliness,” of the hit and expected there to be consequences dealt to the young Flames player.

There are already satirical fan action formulating as a result of this instance. Fans have taken to Twitter to share their opinions and create accounts to add fuel to the fire. Mohamed Elsaghir has been circulating on social media as he created a GoFundMe page for fans to donate to get billboards of Matthew Tkachuk’s face all over Edmonton.

He is hoping to raise $2,500 and has already gotten a couple of hundred dollars of donations in the first few hours. Elsaghir said that if the fundraiser does not reach the goal he will donate the money to the ALS Society of Alberta.

Both fanbases feel very strongly about this hit and have ignited a social media war amongst themselves. The teammates of these players have shared their opinions too. With the Edmonton Oilers speaking out the most harshly. Edmonton Oilers All-Star selection, Leon Draisaitl was asked what would happen if he, McDavid and Tkachuk were put on a line for next weekend’s All-Star game and he said, “I would get off the ice.”

Fans were hoping to see some drama with Drew Doughty getting a nomination on the Last Man In ballot but when he was not selected by the fans to join the All-Star game this year, there may be other conflicts to look out for among provincial rivals. Kassian, on the other hand, will return to the Oilers lineup on January 29, where he will get another run at the Flames. Surely, he will come out with a vengeance against number 19.