According to a few reports on Tuesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets are not happy about the behavior of a fan wearing a Dallas Stars jersey on Monday and are looking to identify the fan and take swift action after goaltender Elvis Merzlinkins was taunted while walking through the tunnel.
According to The Athletic‘s Aaron Portzline, the Blue Jackets and Nationwide Arena security are attempting to identify the fan who was disrespectful and hurled taunts and Merzlinkins over the death of a friend and former teammate in Matiss Kivlenieks as the Blue Jackets came out of the tunnel for the start of Monday’s game.
“There are some stupid people in this world,” Merzlikins explained post-game, perhaps ready to chalk it off as inappropriate and move on. He said “stupid people don’t come into my head. I didn’t get upset.”
The team is not being so quick to let it go. The organization is looking to find out who would be so inappropriate as taunt the friend of a 24-year-old Kivlenieks who tragically lost his life in a fireworks accident on July 4. The NHL mourned the loss of the young man and Merzlinkins was devastated when his friend died a hero trying to save others.
As for what the organization and the NHL can do beyond banning the fan for life from the arena isn’t clear. If that happens, there will be a ton of support for the decision.
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