Vasily Podkolzin came to his captain's defence on Thursday, but ended up with a game misconduct for his efforts.
Podkolzin was ejected from the Edmonton Oilers' game against the Anaheim Ducks midway through the first period. He received the misconduct for fighting Drew Helleson, who had checked Connor McDavid into the Anaheim net.
The play came with just under 12 minutes remaining in the period as McDavid drove to the Ducks' crease before Helleson bumped the Oilers captain into the post.
"I think everyone understands what they're doing in that type of situation," McDavid said after what ended as a 5-4 Oilers loss. "I don't expect him to give (me) a free pass, but he makes that decision, I make my decision, it's just the way it is."
McDavid stayed down on the ice as players from both teams converged. Podkolzin then found Helleson in the scrum, starting the fight.
"If you're going to hit me like that, there's going to be a response. It's just the way it is. I wish that we treated the net like we treat the end wall," McDavid continued. "If I do that to him into the end wall, it's a five-game suspension. The net is just as dangerous, in my opinion. With the goalie there and the post there ... those are dangerous plays."
The 25-year-old Podkolzin was assessed a two-minute instigator and a five-minute fighting major to go along with the misconduct.
Helleson received two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct.
McDavid eventually went down the tunnel, but did return to the game.
Cutter Gauthier went on to score the game's opening goal on Anaheim's ensuing five-minute power play.
