Vancouver Canucks’ Rick Rypien faces possible suspension for altercation with fan
In tough games in the National Hockey League, it is always a guarantee that both fans and players will become easily frustrated. In the case of the players, they will sometimes take their frustration out on members of the opposing team. In addition, there
have even been some cases where fans have gotten into fights with each other.
There was a fight during the Vancouver Canucks’ 6-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, 19 October, but it wasn’t between two players or two fans. It was between Canucks forward Rick Rypien and a Wild fan who was sitting in the stands just above the Canucks’
bench.
The fan and his friend had been applauding the home team, as the Wild held a commanding lead for most of the game. When Rypien saw this, he immediately viewed it as a taunt. He stormed off of the bench and pushed the fan, who had been standing near the railing.
As a result of his actions, Rypien was given a double minor penalty for roughing and a 10-minute game misconduct. It is widely expected that he will receive a multi-game suspension from league commissioner Gary Bettman for this offence.
Centre Manny Malhotra, Rypien’s teammate, tried to restrain Rypien after the altercation. Rypien was then sent to the dressing room to serve his 10-minute misconduct.
“There's boundaries that should never be crossed,” Malhotra said of the incident. “We’re in our area of work. We’re all for the hooting and hollering and supporting your team and saying whatever is tasteful.”
“But as soon as you cross that line and want to become physical with a player then we have to make sure we take care of ourselves. ... We have no idea of what their intentions are.”
The Wild fan and his friend were escorted out of the arena by security officials after the incident.
Minnesota will face Vancouver again in a game that will be played on Friday, 22 October at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
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