No Supplemental Discipline On Milan Lucic After Hit to Mike Smith

A few reports note on Monday that Calgary Flames forward Milan Lucic will not face supplemental discipline for his hit on goaltender Mike Smith during Game 3 of the Flames vs. Oilers series. Luci was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for the hit, but the league has decided that’s enough punishment for the big man who appeared to slow himself down before colliding with the veteran netminder.

Related: Oilers Dominate First Half Of Game 3: Take 2-1 Series Lead Over Flames

There will reportedly be no supplemental discipline for Milan Lucic after this hit on Mike Smith.

Is that the right call? ?#BattleofAlberta pic.twitter.com/MFsXknzlaX

— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) May 23, 2022

Some fans in Edmonton are reacting with disappointment that Lucic could take a run at a goalie in the third period of a game that was out of hand. They believe Lucic had intent and was trying to send a message in a game the Flames weren’t going to win. Others in Edmonton are happy, suggesting having Lucic on the ice is actually helpful for the Oilers, not only because he’s not been a very effective forward, but because he’s prone to doing things like this and penalties will hurt the Flames in this series.

When asked about the hit, head coach Darryl Sutter said after the game, “Could you imagine if Lucic did charge him?” Suggesting Lucic slowed up in an effort not to deliver a big hit, Sutter said this was a call for a five-minute major mostly because of the score and the player involved. Others argue that Lucic knew exactly what he was doing.

Not only does every player in the league know that Smith is prone to playing every puck that comes near his net, but Lucic could see Smith was out there and he knows the player well.

Needless to say, this series didn’t need a reason to get more entertaining and physical than it’s already been. It certainly has a reason now.

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