Philadelphia Flyers’ Garnet Hathaway given match penalty for hit on New Jersey Devils’ Luke Hughes
An important veteran player for the Philadelphia Flyers received the gate early on Thursday night.
Garnet Hathaway received a five-minute major for boarding Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils, earning a match penalty in the process.
The ruling came following Hathaway’s hit on Hughes late in the first period. Hathaway was hustling to negate an icing call, which was waved off by the linesman. The Flyers’ forward ended up running over the Devils’ rookie, starting a brief melee.
Luke Hughes goes to the locker room following this hit by Garnet Hathaway.
Hathaway has been assessed a 5-minute major penalty and has been ejected. pic.twitter.com/KRfhCXeN5E
The officiating crew reviewed the call to confirm the major penalty, with Philadelphia head coach John Tortorella visibly showing his frustration with the decision.
No one else was penalized on the play.
Hughes immediately went down the hall, under his own power. It was noticeable that he thought icing was going to be called, as he looked to have the edge on Hathaway heading to the goal line. Therefore, the former University of Michigan product slowed down before getting hit.
At the time of the his post, it is unclear if Hughes returned to the game.
According to Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin, there will is no supplemental discipline expected from the NHL Department of Player Safety.
Hathaway, 32, is in the first of a two-year contract with the Flyers, with an AAV of $2.375 million. So far, Hathaway has just two goals and an assist in 23 games. It is his third team in less than a season as he was traded from the Washington Capitals to the Boston Bruins last February.
The Flyers are having a great start to this season. Prior to the conclusion of their game against the Devils, they are fourth in the Metropolitan Division, 10 points back of the first-place New York Rangers, and just two points out of a Wild Card spot.