Flyers defenseman Tony DeAngelo was issued a two-game suspension Wednesday by the NHL after spearing Lightning forward Corey Perry. During the incident, which occurred during the third period of Tuesday’s Philadelphia-Tampa Bay game, DeAngelo could be seen hitting Perry in the crotch with his stick after a stoppage in play.
After a review from officials, Philadelphia’s defenseman was assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct, resulting in his ejection.
On top of his removal from Tuesday’s game, which Tampa Bay ultimately won 5-2, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced it has tacked on a two-game ban for the 27-year-old after his dirty play on Perry.
After the game, speaking to reporters, D’Angelo admitted he intended to hit Perry, though he said the shot to the groin was accidental.
“I was trying to give him a little shot. I wasn’t looking for it to go there,” DeAngelo said, via The Athletic. “He tried to slash my stick out of my hands a second beforehand. He talks all game. I asked him to fight. He doesn’t want to fight. He’ll tell you that he’s asked me to fight for years. I don’t say no. So, there’s not much of an argument there.”
DeAngelo is in line to miss the Flyers’ upcoming matchups against the Hurricanes and Penguins, which are scheduled for Thursday and Saturday, respectively. He also will be forced to forfeit two games worth of salary.
The defenseman was traded from Carolina to Philadelphia during the offseason in exchange for multiple draft picks.
DeAngelo has 34 points, including 10 goals, in 59 games for the Flyers this season. He leads all Philly defenseman in points and is tied with Owen Tippett for the fourth-most among all players on the team.
