It was a disappointing night for the Nashville Predators who lost 5-2 to the Vancouver Canucks at home in a game that saw low energy, breakdowns in focus, and high emotions. Those emotions spilled over near the end of the first period and resulted in Predators' forward Michael McCarron being ejected from the game.
Jeremy Lauzon laid a legal hit on Conor Garland and it appeared that Dakota Joshua initially took exception to the hit.
"I just made a clean hit," Lauzon saiid after the game. "I can't fight every single time I hit somebody, so I felt like it wasn't the time for me to fight in the game."
Michael McCarron dropped the gloves, but Dakota Joshua skated away at which point McCarron began yelling at Joshua and then exchanged words with the refs. Whatever was said earned McCarron a two minute unsportsmanlike conduct, a ten minute misconduct, and a game misconduct. McCarron was escorted off the ice.
No word from team mates or head coach Andrew Brunette on what specifically was said by McCarron to earn the game misconduct.
"It's heat of the moment I think for him," Lauzon said. "He just wanted to protect me. He's been a huge part of our offense this year and he's been playing really good."
Ryan O'Reilly acknowledged that the team missed McCarron in the rest of the game.
"That was kind of tough," O'Reilly said of losing McCarron. "The energy that he brings and the physicality that he plays with — we definitely missed that tonight. It happens sometimes. We have to be able to adjust and step up. He's missed out there."
Head coach Andrew Brunette felt the game got too emotional.
"I think we got too emotional," Brunette said. "You have got to be careful with the referees. They're humans, and I think we have to control our emotions in those positions."
"I understand the frustration on Michael's part for sure. I didn't think it was warranted. But it happens, and it's hard to keep it in check."
McCarron has been an important bottom six player for the Predators this season. He has scored four goals and seven points in 22 games played, but he and his line with Phil Tomasino and Cole Smith have been critical in areas like winning puck battles, blocks, and playing a physical game against opponents. McCarron is also an "energy guy" in the locker room and in games.
The Predators will have to take a deep breath and focus on what is ahead after Tuesday night's loss. They will travel to Pennsylvania to face the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday night.
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