Karlsson could not keep his emotions under control.
The forbidden gesture led to an expulsion – and afterwards the Swede was mad.
– It is difficult to accept, he says.
Erik Karlsson is superior in the NHL’s scoring for defensemen, but in recent days the headlines surrounding him have been about other things than success on the ice. During the night towards Tuesday, Karlsson was heavily criticized for his defensive work during a sequence, and last night it was time for the next mentioned situation.
The giant eruption
Erik Karlsson did, in the match against the Colorado Avalanche, what he does best. He used his skilled skating to get past an opponent into the offensive zone, but on the way he got a stick to the face. Karlsson immediately took care of his face, and when he got to the booth you could see blood running from his lips.
Once Karlsson got to the booth, and before he went into the dressing room to change his patch, he turned around – and was completely furious with the referees. None of the umpires had noted the hit, and Colorado’s Alex Newhook thus escaped any punishment. And that made Erik Karlsson see red. He gestured angrily at the referees – and then threw his helmet onto the ice in pure anger.
READ MORE: Erik Karlsson is thunderstruck for the strange pictures last night – the fans hardly believe it’s true: “Directly embarrassing”
The first time in his career
Erik Karlsson then received a two-minute expulsion for unsportsmanlike conduct, and a personal ten-minute penalty. It is Karlsson’s very first misconduct in the NHL – after 903 games.
Afterwards, Karlsson still hadn’t let go of the situation.
– There is no respect from the judges when you miss something like that. I find it difficult to accept that, says Karlsson.
Erik Karlsson said that the judges also did not seek him out afterwards, and that it was clear that he was right.
– I always try to follow the rulebook, I’m not the one who writes the rules. I spoke to the judges afterwards and I would have liked to hear that they missed the event and apologize, but unfortunately I didn’t hear that, says Karlsson.
READ MORE: Börje Salming’s admirable answer to the question – important words that everyone must hear: “I hate people like that”