Hamonic doesn't regret decision to fight
Nino Niederreiter listens to a coach's instructions during New York Islanders Rookie Camp at Nassau Coliseum. (Sept. 10, 2011) Credit: James Escher
Travis Hamonic didn't regret his decision to drop his gloves in the final minute of the first period with the Islanders down a man and trailing 1-0. A third different Panther had just slid into Al Montoya.
"I was always taught there's a couple reasons you fight,'' he said. "One is to stand up for your teammate, two is to stand up for yourself and three is to change the momentum a bit. After their guy [Tomas Kopecky] knocked into Al, I thought it was enough."
Hamonic swiped Kopecky's helmet off his head and ended up tussling with Scottie Upshall. Upshall was ejected for not having his jersey tied down, but Hamonic got an extra two minutes for roughing, possibly for the rather light swipe at Kopecky. It was one of a few curious calls by the Don VanMassenhoven/Wes McCauley officiating duo.
"I'll have to watch it online later to see what I did [to get the extra two]," Hamonic said. "I was kind of surprised when I heard it." Florida scored 21 seconds later on a two-man advantage.
