Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas SUCKER QUITS New York Islanders’ Brock Nelson shortly after checking into New York’s bench during Friday’s 5-1 loss
- JG Pageau controlled Martin Necas perfectly in the Islanders bench on Friday
- Necas responded by punching Brock Nelson in the face
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A night of frustration for the Carolina Hurricanes boiled over when center Martin Necas punched New York Islanders Brock Nelson unprovoked in the face shortly after being sent to their bench.
Late in the third period, Necas battled for the puck around the ice at center as his Hurricanes fell behind 3-1 in the game.
Justin-Gabriel Pageau, the Islander’s center, challenged him, who met him with a perfect shoulder check that sent Necas flying headlong over the boards into the Islanders’ bench.
After he was able to get to his feet, Necas turned, looked at the Islanders’ bench, and a dork punched the Islanders forward, Brock Nelson — who was wearing a clear protective mask over his helmet that hockey players call a “fishbowl.” .
Necas lost his stick on the Islanders’ bench, but left it there and jumped back onto the ice without further incident, as the New York players yelled for the officials to call a penalty.
Carolina’s Martin Necas (legs) was checked into the Islanders bench by JG Pageau (44)
Necas then beat New York’s Brock Nelson, then went back on the ice and continued to play
The Islanders won their first game of the playoffs and are now trailing only 2-1 in the series
Under NHL Rule 46.15, “A match penalty (ejection) shall be imposed on any player who strikes (ie, ‘sucker punch’) an unsuspecting or unwilling opponent and causes an injury.”
But referees on the ice did not call a penalty and Necas continued to play. He watched as the Islanders scored an empty goal and a goal from a deflection to reach a 5–1 final score.
With the win, the Islanders have their first win of the playoffs, bringing it to a 2-1 series.
Nelson’s teammate Kyle Palmieri said the protective shield on his helmet prevented serious damage.
“JG made a nice hit on it [Necas]’ said Palmieri. “He was probably a little upset when he got on the other team’s bench. It is what it is. It’s an emotional game. Brock has a face mask on. I’m sure he’s okay.’
TBS color commentator Keith Jones praised Pageau for the hit, saying it was a clean move and that Necas should have no reason to be angry.
“That’s just a good shoulder too, it’s not like he hit it cheap or anything,” Jones noted.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety (DOPS) has not released a statement regarding a hearing on the incident. When DailyMail.com contacted the Carolina Hurricanes, they said they had not heard from DOPS about a possible hearing.
DailyMail.com has contacted the NHL for comment.