Erik Karlsson doesn't resort to projectiles very often, so he was clearly bothered by a missed call during Tuesday night's game between his San Jose Sharks and the Colorado Avalanche.
The officials handed the bleeding Sharks defenseman a 10-minute misconduct for tossing his headgear in frustration after Avalanche forward Alex Newhook's high stick to Karlsson's face went unpenalized early in the third period of Colorado's 6-0 win.
Erik Karlsson received an unsportsmanlike conduct for throwing his helmet on the ice in protest of a non-call#SJSharks pic.twitter.com/8yZiEu60Tz
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) March 8, 2023
Karlsson was also given a two-minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The 10-minute misconduct was the first of his 14-year career, according to The Mercury News' Curtis Pashelka.
The Norris Trophy favorite said postgame he felt slighted by the officials, though he did apologize for letting his emotions get the best of him.
Erik Karlsson believes it was "disrespectful" that no penalty was called after he was whacked in the face pic.twitter.com/o5IFkKJ0mZ
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) March 8, 2023
Karlsson is having a vintage campaign with 19 goals and 63 assists in 65 contests for the rebuilding Sharks. He entered Wednesday leading the NHL in even-strength points with 62.
Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar and forward Valeri Nichushkin collected a goal and three assists apiece in Colorado's blowout victory Tuesday night.
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