Flames’ Lucic ejected for running Oilers’ Smith behind the net

Calgary Flames enforcer Milan Lucic was handed a five-minute major and game misconduct during Sunday’s Game 3 for running into Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith behind the net.

The incident occurred midway through the third period with Calgary trailing 4-0. A melee ensued following the collision.

Concussion spotters initially removed Smith from the game, but he returned shortly after.

Flames head coach Darryl Sutter said he believes the collision would’ve been much worse had Lucic intended to injure Smith.

“They called it charging, correct? Could you imagine if (Lucic) did charge, what would happen there? He actually tried to slow it down a little bit, I think,” Sutter told reporters postgame. “It is what it is. It’s the score and who it was. That’s what they called.”

The league has suspended Lucic four times in his career.