Tampa Bay Lightning forward Conor Geekie has found himself in hot water with the NHL Player Safety office after being handed a suspension for one preseason game. The league’s announcement on Thursday detailed the reasons behind Geekie’s punishment, citing his departure from the players’ bench for the purpose of engaging in an altercation.
The incident occurred mid-way through the second period when Geekie made his way onto the ice and proceeded to drop the gloves with Florida’s Josh Davies. This came after Davies delivered a hard hit on Tampa’s Victor Hedman, sparking Geekie to take matters into his own hands.
As a result of his actions, Geekie received a cross-checking minor, an instigating minor, a five-minute fighting major, and a 10-minute game misconduct. This early exit from the game left the young forward watching from the sidelines, while Davies also received a five-minute fighting major for his role in the altercation.
In a statement to the media, Geekie explained his decision to get involved, stating, “It’s one of those things, it doesn’t matter if it’s Heddy or whoever it is. I think anyone gets hit like that, someone’s got to step up. And I figured that I could be that guy. It worked out, but anyone could do it. I’m sure a lot of guys were thinking the same thing as me.”
He continued, “Whether it’s training camp or not, everyone’s got each other’s backs. And I think that’s why they’ve been so successful. I think I was just kind of playing in the moment. And I wasn’t letting get him in the way.”
Geekie, who was drafted No. 11 overall in 2022, was a key piece in the trade that brought him to the Lightning as part of the Mikhail Sergachev deal over the summer. As the team prepares to open their regular season next Friday against the Hurricanes in Carolina, Geekie’s absence for the preseason game serves as a reminder of the intensity and physicality that comes with the sport of hockey.
