'Gutless': Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk reacts following biting incident
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk has accused the L.A. Kings' Brendan Lemieux of biting him during a scuffle in Saturday night's game in Los Angeles.
Tkachuk and Lemieux got into a fight in the third period, at which point Tkachuk said Lemieux bit him on the hand. Lemieux was given a match penalty following the incident.
Speaking to the media following the game, Tkachuk could barely contain his contempt.
"I think it is the most gutless thing somebody could ever do," Tkachuk said. "This guy is just—you could ask any of his teammates, nobody wants to play with him—this guy is a bad guy, bad teammate. Guy's a joke. He shouldn't be in the league. The guy's gutless."
The incident began after Tkachuk shoved Blake Lizotte following a whistle with 6:09 left in the third period. Lemieux came in and he and Tkachuk began fighting, eventually falling to the ice with linesmen attempting to pull the two apart. That's when Tkachuk, showing a bleeding hand to officials, said Lemieux bit him.
"I can't really wrap my head around it. Children don't even do this. This guy's just a bad guy and not even a good player, either," Tkachuk told reporters. "It's outrageous."
Kings head coach Todd McLellan addressed the incident after the game.
"First of all, it's wrong, if it did happen. We don't want it to happen," he said. "And two, it’s not a good situation to put the team in, not only tonight but moving forward."
McLellan said Lemieux has become a valuable player and he needs to understand that.
"If we happen to lose him for any period of time, we'll miss him, and he has to understand how valuable he's become."
The NHL's Department of Player Safety said Lemieux has been offered an in-person hearing via Zoom. The date and time has yet to be announced.
The Kings defeated the Senators 4-2 to snap a five-game skid, while handing the Sens their fifth straight loss.
The Senators host the Vancouver Canucks Wednesday at the Canadian Tire Centre.
--With files from TSN 1200 and The Associated Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A healthy lifestyle can mitigate genetic risk for early death by 62%, study suggests
Even if your genetics put you at greater risk for early death, a healthy lifestyle could help you significantly combat it, according to a new study.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy license bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Sunchips, Munchies recalled by Frito Lay Canada for possible salmonella contamination
Frito Lay Canada is recalling two of its most popular snacks due to a possible risk of salmonella contamination.
No, a best-selling American writing duo didn't pen a Galen Weston romance novel
You would be forgiven for thinking Christina Lauren's latest romance novel stars a hunky reimagining of Loblaw chairman Galen G. Weston.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Lice removal companies in the GTA say they're seeing a surge in infestations this year
After nearly 15 years in business, Shawnda Walker said the past 12 months has been the busiest year yet for her North York head lice removal company.