Los Angeles Kings coach John Stevens was not happy after his team’s 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday night in the playoffs, particularly with a dirty play against Anze Kopitar.
Vegas’ Erik Haula responded to a crosscheck from Kopitar by butt-ending the Kings captain with his stick:
Haula butt-ends Kopitar in the face and gets away with it pic.twitter.com/EKc1sghmGW
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) April 16, 2018
Stevens talked about the play after the game and couldn’t believe it.
“We got a guy suspended for making a hockey play, and he butt-ends one of the best hockey players in the world in the face with the butt-end of his stick. So if I was confused before, I’m bewildered now. That’s an intent-to-injure play,” Stevens said of the play.
“You guys make the judgement, because it’s a bunch of b.s. to be honest with you.”
Haula was not called for a penalty despite the play. Kopitar had a goal and an assist in the contest, but it wasn’t enough. The Golden Knights now lead the series 3-0.
