This type of behaviour doesn’t belong in hockey.
Columbus Blue Jackets goalie’ Elvis Merzlikins says a Dallas Stars fan taunted him on Monday regarding the death of former teammate Matiss Kivlenieks. The Blue Jackets beat the Stars 4-1 at Nationwide Arena.
Kivlenieks was a former goalie in the Blue Jackets organization who passed away in a fireworks accident this offseason. Kivlenieks wore No.80, and Merzlinks honored him by wearing his number in the season opener.
Elvis Merzlikins taking warmups while wearing Matiss Kivlenieks' No. 80. 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/IwbycVOkvn
— NHL (@NHL) October 14, 2021
Before the game between Columbus and Dallas on Monday, Merzlikins claims a fan taunted him in the tunnel regarding the death of Kivlenieks.
#CBJ G Elvis Merzlikins said a fan wearing a Dallas Stars sweater taunted him regarding the off-season death of friend and former teammate Matiss Kivlenieks as he and Blue Jackets teammates came out of the tunnel for the start of the game.#TexasHockey
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 26, 2021
Here’s what Merzlikins said about the incident, according to the Athletic’s Aaron Portzline.
“I strongly believe… I was expecting a shutout, because I believe in karma”, said Merzlikins. “There are some stupid people in this world. It was really bad what happened in the tunnel when I was walking out. There was a fan from Dallas who provoked me about Matiss. After the first period, the three posts that I got, I really (firmly) believed in karma. I saw that (Matiss) was really there.”
Merzlikins was asked if he engaged with the fan.
“No. Stupid people don’t come into my head” said Merzlikins. “I didn’t get upset. I just realize how stupid people are. This is all. I don’t care what he said.”
Video has surfaced which appears to show a fan yell “don’t light a firework” as Merzlikins came out of the tunnel.
I believe (not 100% sure) that you can hear the taunt on a video posted on CBJ’s Instagram story last night. I think you can hear “don’t light a firework” 😔 pic.twitter.com/rWqeVFitIN
— John's Plan (@therealholstein) October 26, 2021
Here’s Merzlikin’s full post-game press conference in which he speaks about the fan taunting him. Go to the 4:00 minute mark of the video to hear Merzlikins speak about the incident.
Video:
Elvis is REALLY happy for his friend, Gregory 😊@pedialyte | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/GcGaz7ytp6
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 26, 2021
Merzlikins was outstanding in the game, stopping 31 of 32 shots to lead the Blue Jackets to victory. It’s disgusting he had to deal with this type of fan behaviour in his own arena.
The Dallas Stars nor Columbus Blue Jackets have yet to issue a statement on the matter. Many in the hockey community are calling for the fan to receive a long-term ban from attending games.
Certain taunts are fine at sporting events, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who didn’t think that this crossed the line.