Ryan Hartman doesn’t like Evander Kane.
Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman flipped off Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane in an NHL game on Tuesday night. The two Western Conference teams played a nasty matchup at Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota.
The game escalated in the third period with Minnesota blowing out Edmonton 5-1. Oilers forward Kailer Yamamoto cross-checked Wild forward Matts Zuccarello, prompting superstar Kirill Kaprizov to come to his teammate’s defense. Evander Kane then jumped in and went after Kaprizov.
Ryan Hartman was furious with Kane, throwing punches at the former Shark as the ref intervened. As the ref escorted Hartman off the ice, Hartman flipped off Kane with the middle finger and shouted “f**k you!”
You can see Hartman flip off Kane in the video below.
Video:
Uh oh. Ryan Hartman gives Evander Kane the finger after a scrum. pic.twitter.com/R5SXu7wx5c
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) April 13, 2022
Hartman and Kane both received misconducts and were ejected from the game. That was probably the right call with things turning nasty in the third period. The Oilers weren’t coming back from a 5-0 deficit.
It’s unknown what kind of supplemental discipline Hartman will face for the middle finger. The Athletic’s Michael Russo reports this will bypass NHL Player Safety and go straight to NHL Hockey Ops.
Hartman was asked post-game if he cares whether or not he gets fined for the middle finger gesture to Evander Kane. “Well worth it”, Hartman replied.
We do have somewhat of a precedent for middle fingers in the NHL. Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference was fined $2500 back in 2011 when he flipped off a Montreal Canadiens fan in a heated rivalry game.
Hartman also scored two goals against the Oilers, making Tuesday’s game a night he’ll never forget. The 27-year-old is enjoying a career year with 27 goals and 54 points.
Considering how many hockey fans dislike Evander Kane, it’s safe to assume Ryan Hartman gained several new fans with his middle finger gesture Tuesday.
