The Battle of Alberta added another topic to its web of narratives on Monday night.
In the first half between Edmonton and Calgary, the Oilers’ striker, Jujhar Khaira, went full throttle at Oliver Kylington and hit him high in front of the team’s benches. The questionable hit did not result in a penalty.
The Flames defender went straight down the tunnel to the locker room to be examined. Fortunately, he returned to action later in the second period and even won a cool little help in Calgary’s second goal.
While Kylington was being checked during the first period, teammate Brett Ritchie took responsibility for seeking retaliation after the referees failed to punish Khaira for the unpleasant one-way collision.
In this series of tortuous events, Ritchie took the Oilers forward with a stiff right hand and sent him crumbling on the ice – a sight that no one wants to see in a hockey game. Khaira had to be helped out of the ice and was discarded until the end of the game.
After Flames won 4-3, Oilers coach Dave Tippett gave an update on Khaira’s status.
“Jujhar was feeling good after the first period. The guys arrived and he was feeling good,” said Tippett.
It is not known at the moment whether Khaira will have an audience with the NHL player’s security department, but Sportsnet’s Eric Francis suggests that the Oilers’ striker “is likely to face some disciplinary action”.
The Flames and Oilers will reheat the vitriol of the day on Wednesday night, as they clash once again for an ever-dramatic clash.
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