Flames' Lucic on Smith hit: 'If I actually did charge, we both wouldn't be playing'
Milan Lucic and his head coach are on the same page - the situation could have been a whole lot worse.
The bruising Calgary Flames forward was assessed a five-minute major and ejected from the third period of Sunday's Game 3 loss to Edmonton after barrelling into Oilers' goaltender Mike Smith.
Lucic appeared to try and let up on the play, but still sent the veteran netminder flying with Calgary trailing 4-0.
“They called it charging, correct?” Flames bench boss Darryl Sutter said following a 4-1 Edmonton victory that pushed the Oilers ahead 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. “Could you imagine if (Lucic) did charge, what would have happened there? He actually tried to slow it down a little bit, I think.
“It is what it is. It was the score and who it was. That's what they called.”
Lucic, who once levelled Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller as a member of the Boston Bruins more than decade ago, chose his words carefully when speaking with the media Monday, but echoed Sutter's overall thoughts.
“I wasn't trying to hit (Smith)I was breaking,” said the 33-year-old, a hulking six foot three and 231 pounds. “I don't think I really want to get into what I was thinking or what I was trying to do or if he sold it or if he didn't.
“But I think I agree with Darryl in the sense of, if I actually did charge we both wouldn't be playing (in Game 4).”
Lucic added later the Flames, who finished atop the Pacific Division before besting the Dallas Stars in seven games in the opening round, need to take a step back after consecutive performances that weren't up to their standard following a 9-6 victory in Game 1.
“This is a good time to just decompress,” he said. “And realize that it's great to be in second round of the playoffs, playing the Battle of Alberta.
“Take a few deep breaths and just soak it all in and enjoy it.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.