There was a bit of action in the annual 402-rivalry series between the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) London Knights and Sarnia Sting on Friday.
Knights forward Max McCue has been suspended indefinitely as a result of what has transpired and shows on the game report he was ejected for abusing an official.
Tensions started to rise after Sting forward Daylen Moses cross-checked Knights’ forward and Philadelphia prospect Denver Barkey in the face. Moses was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct. Shortly after that, with animosity in the air, Sarnia goaltender Karsen Chartier came out of his net and levelled Knights forward Kaeden Johnston. That’s when Ryder Boulton, the son of former NHL enforcer Eric Boulton, went towards Chariter and gave him a quick jab which then resulted in a spirited scrap between Stings’ Cooper Way and Boulton.
McCue was ejected at 18:34 in the third period for abuse of an official, and it’s unclear what was said but ultimately had to do with the cross-check to Barkey’s face. McCue currently has the longest active goal streak in the OHL as of right now which stands at nine games and 13 goals. The 20-year-old is now tied with Jared Knight and trailing only Patrick Kane who scored in 13 straight games in the 2006-07 campaign for the longest streak in that span.
The Sting are without their head coach Alan Letang, who is the head coach of Canada’s U20 team at the World Juniors. Stepping in for him is former NHL tough guy Michael Haley. Haley was quick to dismiss the altercations and pointed fingers at the Knights’ showmanship. “I’m upset with their antics and how they’re allowed to do them,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of fights in my life and I don’t think you’re allowed to go around and celebrate (in a demonstrative fashion). It is what it is. The refs called it. We accept it, move on and go on to the next game.”
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