Vancouver hockey fans are torn when it comes to defining Rick Rypien’s future after the Canucks centre tousled a Minnesota Wild fan during Tuesday night’s game in St. Paul.
“He should be tossed out,” said Canucks fan Taylor Moore. “I don’t want that sort of behaviour to be a role model for my son.”
With the Canucks down 5-1, Rypien grabbed and shook a jeering Minnesota fan as he headed to the dressing room for a double-minor penalty and a 10-minute misconduct for roughing.
“I don’t understand what’s the big deal,” said Jazmine Grewal of Vancouver. “He was in the heat of the moment, of playing the game, and if the other guy wasn’t actually hurt, (Rypien) shouldn’t be punished.”
The NHL is not expected to comment until the matter has been resolved.
