During Wednesday night’s game between the Washington Capitals and the Ottawa Senators, Alex Ovechkin appeared to spear the Sens’ Chris Neil as the two forwards skated up the ice shortly after Neil had delivered a hard check on Ovechkin.
Neil immediately doubled over and was called for a diving penalty on the play. Neil then retreated to the Sens’ dressing room but returned to action just minutes later.
Ovechkin received no penalty. Although some speculated that the "spear" might draw a hearing from the league, an NHL spokesperson said Thursday that Ovechkin will not face further discipline. Ovechkin was suspended twice during the 2009-10 season.
"I’m not that kind of player… who would spear someone," Ovechkin told Sportsnet after the game.
"Almost like a pitchfork right in the gut, so it’s frustrating (there was) no call on the play and I ended up getting the penalty for it," Neil said afterwards. "We make mistakes out there, too. And so do the refs."
Do you think Ovechkin speared Neil, or did Neil take a dive?
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