“Are you JOKING?” – Fans FURIOUS as NHL suspends William Lockwood for 3-games after ‘reckless’ hit on Marc-Andre Fleury

William Lockwood gets a 3-game suspension by the NHL for a hit on Marc-Andre Fleury. ‘Flower’ to miss 1-2 games, as per reports.

“Are you JOKING?” – Fans FURIOUS as NHL suspends William Lockwood for 3-games after ‘reckless’ hit on Marc-Andre Fleury

William Lockwood [Image Credit: The Hockey News]

Friday night’s game took a turn for the worse after Florida Panthers forward William Lockwood clashed with Minnesota Wilds goalie Marc-Andre Fleury at 2:13 of the first period. All hell broke loose, as three Wilds players jumped at Lockwood for the hit. They made the 25-year-old understand how Fleury is not someone to trifle with.

After getting pummeled by Wilds players, the NHL later announced Lockwood’s punishment for his “reckless” actions in the game. He was handed down a 3-game penalty along with $12,109.38 based on his AAV. The money will go down to the Players Emergency Assistance Fund.

YouTube video

Although, the NHL stated its reasons for the harsh calling, fans are far from satisfied. The 3-game suspension enraged the fan base as they called the league “a joke”. One fan noted, “Are you JOKING? And I’m a diehard Fleury fan…but that was a bit of an exaggeration.” Another noted on X, “I had to double check to make sure this wasn’t a joke. Guess the only joke is the NHL.”

FS Video

After getting penalized for goaltender interference, the NHL Department of Player Safety handed down a 3-game suspension to the player. In an explanation video, they noted:

While Lockwood argues that the contact on this play was not intentional, it is at the very least reckless due to his speed and angle of approach.
NHL DOPS as per NHL.com.

Brandon Duhaime KO’s William Lockwood after hit on Marc-Andre Fleury

While playing the puck in the first period, William Lockwood flattened Marc-Andre Fleury on the ice at the back of Wild’s net. The forward’s act marked the beginning of the melee that shook the fans on Friday night. 

Fleury’s teammates rushed to his aid after the goalie lay flat on the ice, and started plummeling the Panthers player for his action. Zach Bogosian grabbed Lockwood and delivered several uppercuts to the head with many penalties called in sequence. 

Brandon Duhaime vs. William Lockwood [Image Credit: X]
Brandon Duhaime vs. William Lockwood [Image Credit: X]

But Brandon Duhaime, the Wilds forward delivered the ultimate hit. He KO’ed William Lockwood with a hell of a punchout amid brutal blows. Lockwood lay cold on ice and needed his teammate’s help to get to the locker room. Immediately after Lockwood’s fall, Duhaime checked on his condition.

On Saturday, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared that Marc-Andre Fleury will miss 1-2 games due to the hit he took on earlier. On Hockey Night in Canada, he revealed,

Fleury will not play tomorrow. But he remains on the Minnesota road trip and the hope is maybe only a game or two. Thankfully it doesn’t look to be anything more serious than that.
Elliotte Friedman on Hockey Night in Canada.

Prior to Fleury’s exit, he stopped 10 of 11 shots. His blank spot was replaced by Filip Gustavsson who made 25 saves on 28 shots. The team won the game 6-4 and is on the road for their next game. Hopefully, Fleury will be able to join them soon.

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