Two years ago, Brian MacLellan signed Brooks Orpik to a five-year deal because of the veteran defenseman’s “leadership and experience.” Tuesday night in Game Six, the 35-year-old Orpik took a four-minute double minor penalty for high-sticking.
The Penguins scored twice on the resulting power play.
The penalty occurred near the crease as both players began to skate up ice. Patric Hornqvist put his stick into Orpik’s hip, and Orpik lost his balance. As Orpik fell over, his stick struck Horniqvist in the left cheek.
Here’s the high stick from another angle.
Lmao. 4 minutes for falling because of a penguin hook. @ianoland @ikhurshudyan pic.twitter.com/3eG9ako3Eq
— Shea Angus (@Sheangus) May 11, 2016
NBCSN analyst Mike Milbury said during the second intermission that he believed the high stick was intentional.
“This was retaliation, pure and simple,” Milbury said.
Hornqvist’s face looked gnarly.
Forty seconds into the Orpik’s double minor, Phil Kessel scored his second goal of the game.
Thirty-three seconds after that, Carl Hagelin made it 3-0.
Orpik skated back to the bench, dejected.
Loudest I've heard building. I think people enjoyed Orpiks skate of shame to bench
— Joe Starkey (@JoeStarkey1) May 11, 2016
Game Six marked Orpik’s return from a three-game suspension for elbowing Olli Maatta in the head. Maatta recorded the primary assist on Hagelin’s goal.
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