Arizona Coyotes: Max Domi Goes After Ryan Garbutt For Questionable Hit
The Arizona Coyotes were beaten 5-1 by the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night. Oliver Ekman-Larsson took several shots from Anaheim players before a late hit by Ryan Garbutt stirred Max Domi into action.
The Arizona Coyotes were manhandled by the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night at Gila River Arena.
The scoreboard reflected it. 5-1 Anaheim.
The lopsided number of power play opportunities painted a picture that felt quite different than the one seen on the ice.
Make no mistake, the Ducks outworked and outpowered the Arizona Coyotes in every facet of the game.
They also had several questionable shots on the Coyotes’ most important player. It was those hits that ultimately escalated the evening’s festivities.
Max Domi decided to take matters into his own hands. Hockeyfights.com provided the video:
Ryan Garbutt blindsided Oliver Ekman-Larsson with a hit right next to the Anaheim Ducks bench. Anthony Duclair immediately went after Garbutt and attempted to engage him.
As Duclair chased down Garbutt, Max Domi cut in front of his teammate and crosschecked Ryan Garbutt from behind and threw off his gloves. He grabbed Garbutt and spun him around, immediately laying into the Ducks’ forward.
As bad as the optics are for league officials regarding how Domi engaged Garbutt, the reaction was totally necessary in relation to what had throughout the game.
More from Coyotes News
- How the Arizona Coyotes could line-up with Logan Cooley signed
- Report: Logan Cooley could be closer to signing Arizona Coyotes ELC
- Arizona Coyotes sign Matias Maccelli to three-year deal
- Ivan Prosvetov signs one-year deal with Arizona Coyotes
- Arizona Coyotes cut Galchenyuk after reported police incident
OEL had taken several hits during the contest that were borderline or went uncalled. Other Arizona Coyotes like Viktor Tikhonov had suffered the same fate. Despite that, Anaheim left Gila River Arena with eight power play opportunities to the Coyotes’ four.
The hit by Ryan Garbutt was as blatant as they come and Max Domi took him to task for the transgression. Garbutt initially attempted to skate away as if no foul had been committed. Domi and Duclair were having no part of that whistling as I walk out the door routine.
Unfortunately for Domi, the game was in the final five minutes of regulation. That will possibly result in a one-game suspension for the rookie pending the league’s review of the incident.
The young forward has done everything for the Arizona Coyotes this season. He’s been the goal-scorer, the facilitator, and even the grinder when necessary. His hustle and heart on a nightly basis are matched by few on the team.
He is second on the team with 43 points. His connection with fellow rookie Anthony Duclair is Sedin twins’ level telepathy.
Domi’s rookie season has been everything that Coyotes fans could have expected after the long wait. Maybe even a little more.
Recently, Howlin’ Hockey posted an article exploring the potential candidates for the captaincy of the Arizona Coyotes once Shane Doan retires.
Max Domi just submitted his application.