The mouth runneth over
High-scoring forward Ryan Moore may have let an unfortunate slip of the tongue get in the way of a possible playoff upset for the Flint Firebirds.
Moore, who led the Firebirds in scoring during the 2016-2017 regular season with 39-51-90 totals that were seventh best in the entire Ontario Hockey League, was missing from the Flint lineup on Monday.
The 1997 birth-year skater was handed a five-game suspension for what the OHL deemed “an inappropriate comment to an opponent.”
The incident took place with less than two minutes to play in Game 2 of the Western Conference playoff series with the visiting Firebirds holding a commanding 6-3 lead en route to victory over the Soo Greyhounds.
Moore had a goal and an assist and was a game star in the 6-3 win that gave no. 7 seed Flint momentum and tied the best-of-seven series with no. 2 seed Soo at a game apiece.
But for whatever reason, Moore could not hold his tongue despite the 6-3 lead the Firebirds had late in the match and was subsequently hit with the five-game suspension for allegedly uttering a homophobic slur at a Greyhound player.
Obviously, as a veteran player and team leader, Moore should have known better. Regardless, Moore has removed himself from the remainder of the series and cost his team its leading scorer.
Without Moore in the lineup on Monday in Flint, the Firebirds were held to a single goal in a 3-1 loss that gave series control back to the Greyhounds with a 2-1 lead.
The incident is out character for Moore, according to Firebirds general manager George Burnett.
“A mistake was made and Ryan knows it and he’s very upset about but it is absolutely out of character for him,” said Burnett.
Burnett added that, “as an organization, we don’t condone it and the league doesn’t.”
PHOTO: Flint Firebirds forward Ryan Moore.
It is unfortunate that this happened and I say this as a long time fan of the Greyhounds.
5 games for a “slip of the tongue” does seem vary harsh to me espesially since these are the Play Offs.
Young Moore is an excellant player and like I said it is unfortunate.
@RandyRusson
5 games seems a bit harsh, I’ve been called worse many times. Tough break for Flint.
Seems harsh, however the message obviously is not being heard. Absolutely no justifiable reason to make the comment, especially in a game that was decided in his favour. i bet he won’t be a repeat offender.
Matt Caria of the Hounds had a similar incident/suspension 6 or 7 years back.
Anyone aspiring to be a professional someday has to learn to control their emotions. Easier said than done, especially in young men, but the hockey world is a tight community and unfortunately he may now be labelled as a problem.
Rumour has it that the Flint Firebirds players were swearing at kids in Sault Ste. Marie. I don’t believe a word of it, and the Firebirds are a class organization that is rebuilding from the Flint water crisis and the drama from last season. I really hope the Firebirds can take the series.
5 games…thats not good.