If it wasn't clear that the Calgary Flames were frustrated by their dismal start to the season, it sure is now.
Leading scorer Andrew Mangiapane was assessed a match penalty on Saturday night against the Seattle Kraken for intent to injure and was subsequently ejected from the game. A match penalty means Mangiapane will automatically receive a hearing with the NHL's department of player safety.
The incident happened midway through the first period, when Seattle's Jared McCann blocked a shot from Mangiapane and was still down on the ice when Mangiapane laid a brutal cross-check to the back of his neck.
McCann did briefly leave the ice, but returned to the bench before the end of the period.
The Flames certainly have not started the season well, with a 2-7-1 that puts them above only the lowly San Jose Sharks in the Pacific Division. As Sportsnet's Eric Francis reported, the Flames have paused all negotiations with their pending free agents as the club evaluates their next steps.
Their highest-paid players, Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri, have combined for just nine points in 10 games.
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