An Official’s Take – Brendan Lemieux biting suspension

December 3, 2021 by Brett Luchanski

Well, we are just 20 games into the 2021-22 NHL season and we have a *check notes* BITING penalty? Biting? Really? Yes. During a game between the Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, Brendan Lemieux and Brady Tkachuk got into a tussle after the whistle. I’m not sure if these two have a history, but the scrum seemed more intense than the usual post whistle shananigans. While on the ground it appears that Tkachuk was bitten at least once possibly twice by Lemieux. 

We can all agree that it’s not fun to have someone else’s hand, or fingers in your face, or even in and around your mouth, but you can do that. Biting is one of those things that just about everyone can agree deserves a match penalty and supplemental discipline. 

*Insert: You can’t do that.gif* 

The rule book mentions biting under section 9 (other fouls). 

It directs you to table 8 under rule 21 (Match penalties). This table lists all types of penalties that can fall under Match penalties (intent to injure). 

I think most people can agree that the only reason to bite someone is to try and hurt them. Considering it appears Lemieux broke the skin on Tkachuk’s hand this one was a no doubter. Biting? Who does that? Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NHL Department of Player Safety agreed by offering Lemieux an in person hearing and ultimately tendering a five-game suspension. I would have liked to see more, because there really isn’t any room in the game for this type of behaviour. As Tkachuk said in his post-game comments, kids don’t even do that (bite people), babies do that. 

On a side note, Brendan joined his father Claude as the only father-son duo to both be suspended for biting someone during an NHL game. A record that promises to be almost untouchable going forwards. Congratulations, I guess?

I’ve never had to call a biting penalty in my own referee career and hopefully it stays that way. 

What did you think? Was five games enough? Should the NHL mandate that Lemieux wear a cage going forward? Leave a comment or find me on Twitter at @Bluchanski and let me know what you think.