Brendan Leipsic delivered a heavy hit to Derek Grant behind the Ducks’ net, leading to a fight between the clubs’ fourth liners. In turn, Grant and Hathaway dropped the gloves before Gubranson and Nick Ritchie went after the 27-year-old Caps winger.
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Following a punch to the face from the Ducks’ blueliner, Hathaway spit on Gudbranson. Officials reviewed the play, and in addition to a fighting penalty, Hathaway received a match penalty, which automatically resulted in a game misconduct.
“I reacted a little emotionally, unfortunately spit came out of my mouth,” Hathaway told reporters postgame of the fight and incident. “There’s no place [for that]. Emotional play by me, you don’t plan any of that stuff in your head. It was a quick reaction and unfortunately, the wrong one for me.”
Chandler Stephenson scored on the play to make it 3-0 for Washington en route to a 5-2 victory for the Caps.
In 22 games with Washington this season, Hathaway has racked up two goals and six points.
