Despite receiving a two-game suspension for striking Blue Jackets forward Kole Sherwood in the head, Milan Lucic says he's not going to change the way he plays the game.
The rugged Flames winger spoke with the media on Tuesday following Flames practice about the NHL's decision to hand him the suspension in what was considered roughing. Lucic landed on the top of Sherwood after a jab to the face. Sherwood poked at Flames goaltender David Rittich after a shot on goal, trying to free the loose puck.
"I mean it was pretty clear the guy (Kole Sherwood), whatever you want to call it, slashes or spears the goalie and I was standing up for him," said Lucic. "I thought the referees got it right on the ice the first time by them (Columbus Blue Jackets) going up on the power play, they even got a slashing penalty on the play so I think even Ritter (David Rittich) said it was the second time he got slashed in three games so you got to step up for your teammates and I`m more than willing to do that, this suspension won`t change that moving forward."
Since being acquired from the Oilers in the off-season for James Neal, Lucic has racked up just three assists and 30 penalty minutes in 17 games.
Brought in for his toughness, Lucic explained that it's simply in his nature to stand up for his teammates, and made let it be known that he didn't appreciate the way people labelled it as a sucker-punch.
"I was brought up in the age where you protect yourself at all times,`` said Lucic. ``Maybe moving forward, you can expect that from guys not to be ready for it, maybe go a little lighter on them. But it`s hard to when it`s not in your nature so I think the main thing is to just try to avoid the head. I know some people like to write sucker-punch, I mean look up the definition of a sucker-punch, my arm didn’t cock up, it was more of a forearm shiver that rode up into his head."
Lucic will serve the second game on Tuesday night when the 8-7-1 Flames host the surging Arizona Coyotes.
