Game 1 between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Utah Mammoth was a heated affair, and now fans are calling for Sean Durzi to be suspended following a scrum in which he appeared to head-butt Rasmus Andersson.
In only their second year in Utah—and their first as the Mammoth—the team made the playoffs by clinching a Western Conference wild card spot. As a result, they are facing the Pacific Division–winning Golden Knights.
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Sean Durzi head-butt
Despite leading after two periods, the Mammoth lost 4–2 after the Knights scored three unanswered goals in the third. The game had a typical playoff intensity, with neither side backing down from hits or scrums between whistles. During one of those scrums, Durzi appeared to head-butt Andersson. Andersson immediately appealed to the officials to eject Durzi, as the rules stipulate that a head-butt can result in a major penalty and a game misconduct.
However, no penalty for head-butting was called.
“If they wanted to, they could call it a head-butt. It’s a five-minute major and a game misconduct—that’s what the rulebook says. Durzi’s fortunate here. They gave him a break,” insider Elliotte Friedman said on the Sportsnet broadcast.
Fans want a suspension
Now, fans are calling for Sean Durzi’s suspension.
“Major and suspension-worthy—the refs missed it entirely,” one fan wrote on X.
“That’s a five-minute major according to the rulebook. That’s not a penalty in the playoffs according to the league,” another fan added.
“Suspension should be heavy. But of course the NHL forgets the rules when the playoffs start,” a third chimed in.
Game 2 will be played on Tuesday.
You can watch the incident below.
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