Flames forward Milan Lucic is putting the "battle" in the Battle of Alberta.
The veteran forward ran into Oilers goalie Mike Smith during Edmonton's Game 3 win. It resulted in a huge scrum and lucic was given a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct.
Milan Lucic was given a five minute major along with a game misconduct for this incident.
— ESPN (@espn) May 23, 2022
Mike Smith left the game for concussion protocol but quickly returned in the third period. pic.twitter.com/6Ym9mVemy8
Smith left briefly, but returned to finish the game. The Oilers went on to win the contest 4-1 to take a 2-1 series lead.
It's certainly not the first time Lucic has ruffled some feathers. The power forward has made a career out of laying big hits and dropping the gloves.
However, despite some speculation, Lucic was neither fined or suspended for his hit on Smith, making him available for Game 4 on Tuesday.
Lucic felt as though he wasn't trying to hit Smith and that he certainly did think he charged into the goaltender.
"I definitely wasn't trying to hit him," Lucic said. "I was braking. ... If I actually did charge, we both wouldn't be playing [in Game 4]."
With the added pressure and tension of the playoffs, there already was fireworks to be expected. Now, Lucic has added a bit more fire to the flame that is the Battle of Alberta.
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Lucic suspension and fine history
2009 one-game suspension for cross-checking Maxim Lapierre
Lucic's first suspension in the NHL came during the 2009 playoffs when the Bruins-Canadiens rivalry got very intense in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
After the whistle, Lucic was jawing at Canadiens defenseman Mathieu Schneider when Maxim Lapierre came over. Lucic delivered a cross-check to his head and was subsequently suspended for Game 3.
2010 fine for sucker punching Freddy Meyer
While Lucic is usually the one laying out big hits, he doesn't take too kindly to getting hit himself. When Thrashers defenseman Freddy Meyer laid out Lucic in the third period of their game, the power forward took exception.
It started as a typical scrum after a collision, but when Lucic sucker punched Meyer in the face and was tossed, it turned into an all-out brawl. He was fined $2,500 for the punch and an additional $1,000 for a gesture he made towards the Atlanta bench, totaling a fine of $3,500.
2012 hit on Ryan Miller
This is probably the one most people remember Lucic for, even though it did result in a fine or suspension. The forward came barreling down into the offensive zone to play the puck when Sabres goalie Ryan Miller came out to swipe it away.
Lucic decided to lay a shoulder into Miller, causing a huge commotion. He was given two minutes for charging, but did not face any further discipline for the collision.
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2011 one-game suspending for hitting Zac Rinaldo from behind
This one raised some eyebrows. Lucic went and hit Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo in response to a check on Nathan Horton. It was a little from behind, but Rinaldo got right back up.
He was given a major and a game misconduct as a result, and then was suspended one game. It was a controversial decision, considering Rinaldo even came out and said he didn't think "the hit was dirty at all."
2014 fine for obscene gesture at Canadians' fans
Ah yes, the Bruins-Canadiens again. Lucic didn't take too kindly to the Canadians fans' reaction when he whistled for a penalty in a game in 2014.
You can't make out what he said, but you don't need to as his hand motions do all the talking for him.
He was fined $5,000 for his, let's call them colorful hand gestures.
2014 fine for spearing Danny Dekeyser
Cup check!
Lucic decided to help his good old buddy Danny Dekeyser out by making sure he had his cup in place in a 2014 game.
Neither Don Cherry nor the NHL looked too kindly on the action, as Lucic was fined $5,000 for the low blow.
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2016 one-game suspension for sucker-punching Kevin Connauton
It started with a few good saves from then-Coyotes goaltender Louis Domingue. It ended with Lucic losing his cool, sucker punching Coyotes defenseman Kevin Connauton and screaming at Domingue.
During his time with the Kings, Lucic wasn't happy about Connauton slashing him in the wrist when he was sitting in the slot. The retaliation got Lucic tossed from the game and a one-game suspension from the league.
2018 fine for roughing Mathieu Joseph
Lucic was with the Oilers by the time the 2018-19 season rolled around. In a November matchup against the Lightning, Lucic dropped an unsuspecting Mathieu Joseph who was in on the forecheck.
The first hit was bad enough, but then Lucic took a swing at Joseph's head, resulting in a brawl between the two sides.
This one resulted in a $10,000 fine, which Lucic said after that he was "fortunate" to only be fined, not suspended.
2019 two-game suspension for roughing Kole Sherwood
Protect your net! Lucic did not appreciate Blue jackets forward Kole Sherwood taking a couple of extra jabs at goaltender David Rittich.
The Flames forward wasted no time going over throwing a punch right at Sherwood's face.
The league handed out a two-game suspension to Lucic, the first time he was given multiple games.
