Emerson Etem picked a bad time for his first game misconduct in his 234-game Western Hockey League career.
The Medicine Hat Tigers star lasted two shifts before his knee-on-knee hit on Moose Jaw Warriors rookie Torrin White saw him pick up a kneeing major and a game misconduct.
“I was going to finish my check and he moved out of the way and put himself in a vulnerable position. I didn’t expect him to move out of the way,” said Etem who is arguably the fastest player in the WHL. Etem has 84 penalty minutes in 202 career regular season games.
“I’m one of the least penalized players in the league. I haven’t got a game misconduct in my three years here so hopefully (the league) takes that into consideration.”
The league automatically reviews all major penalties.
“Emerson is a real honest player. There was some contact, but I didn’t think it was intentional. He just doesn’t play like that,” said Tigers head coach Shaun Clouston.
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White went out for a shift after the Warriors first goal — more than 25 minutes of game time after he was injured — but only last five seconds before heading off.
“He couldn’t skate at all. He couldn’t pivot; couldn’t turn. It wasn’t even a quarter of a shift,” said Warriors head coach Mike Stothers. “No it doesn’t look good now, but he’ll get re-evaluated (Saturday).”
Dylan Bredo — the Tiger who centres the Tigers top line between Etem and Hunter Shinkaruk — was also given five-and-a-game after he elbowed Sam Fioretti behind the Tigers net.
It was an unusual elbowing call as Bredo had the puck and turned his body to catch Fioretti flush in the face with his elbow and Fioretti approached from behind.
