Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty didn’t like the spit on K’Andre Miller’s face Sunday night. After the meeting, the veteran was still trying to explain the nature of such a gesture.
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During a first breaststroke, the New York Rangers defenseman stuttered in his opponent’s face, earning him a large penalty and a game disqualification.
“He wanted to pursue Kevin [Fiala]. The face-off was imminent and I thought I’d snap a word at him or shove him. Even before I arrived, he [m’a craché dessus]. It’s unfortunate,” Doughty said in a scrum.
“I was just shocked,” he added. I don’t remember if I said anything to him after that, but I wanted to get the official’s attention to issue a penalty. They don’t want to see that kind of gesture, I don’t know if I’ve seen it before.”
According to New York Post reporter Mollie Walker, Miller said his spitting was accidental. He would also have joined Doughty after the meeting to justify himself and express his uneasiness about the situation.
“Whether he wanted it or not, I had a lot of spit on my face, so I was pretty pissed,” Doughty said.
Regardless of his intentions, Miller is likely to be suspended by National Hockey League security. In 2019, Washington Capitals forward Garnet Hathaway was fined three games for spitting on an opposing player.
Rangers won the game 5-2, with the Kings only able to take advantage of the five-minute power play and the fact that the Blueshirts had to contend with just four defenders.