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Controversial Game Misconduct Handed Out After Fight

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Austin Sabourin
September 26, 2023 (11:52 PM)

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During the preseason, athletes strive to leave an indelible mark on their team's decision-makers. They're eager to secure a spot on the opening night roster, and there are myriad avenues to prove their mettle in the National Hockey League. One unconventional method is the fisticuffs on the ice.

Consider the case of Nick Ritchie, the St. Louis Blues forward on a professional tryout contract (PTO). With aspirations of securing an NHL deal for the 2023-24 season, he left no stone unturned on a fateful Tuesday night.

In the midst of a second-period skirmish between the Blues and the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ritchie squared off against Josh Dunne. Ritchie landed several powerful punches, clearly winning the altercation. However, there was a glaring oversight � his jersey and shoulder pads came off entirely, exposing the fact that he hadn't fastened his fight strap. This seemingly minor detail had significant consequences; Ritchie received a five-minute major penalty for dropping the gloves and a game misconduct.

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According to the NHL's rule book, section 46.13 stipulates,

"A player who engages in a fight and whose jersey is not properly 'tied-down' (jersey properly fastened to pants), and who loses his jersey (completely off of his torso) in that altercation, shall receive a game misconduct penalty."

In light of this incident, it's safe to assume that the next time Nick Ritchie takes to the ice during this preseason, his first order of business will be ensuring that his fight strap is securely fastened, avoiding a repeat of this peculiar situation.

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