Senators outraged after Brady Tkachuk sucker punched by Logan Stanley, given misconduct
Tkachuk was assessed a 10-minute misconduct, while Stanley received two minor penalties.
OTTAWA — Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk is used to dishing out and taking punches in fights. On Saturday night, he was not only on the receiving end of a punch, but he drew the harsher penalty.
Tkachuk was given a 10-minute misconduct in the second period of Ottawa’s 4-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets for his role in a tussle with defenceman Logan Stanley. The American-born winger was bumped into his own bench by Stanley, only for Tkachuk to wrap his arms around Stanley while trying to push him back and losing his helmet in the process. As both men pushed each other, Tkachuk held on to Stanley’s stick as a linesman attempted to break them up.
Stanley then dropped his right glove and punched Tkachuk, dropping him to the ice.
Another look at Brady Tkachuk getting punched by Logan Stanley.
— Julian McKenzie (@jkamckenzie) January 4, 2026
Tkachuk skated away, seemingly favoring his right hand. The forward missed 20 games with a thumb injury earlier this season. As he skated toward the penalty box area, Tkachuk pointed at the Jets bench before yelling at Stanley, who was already in the penalty box. As an official led him away, Tkachuk continued barking at the Jets bench while being restrained. He eventually gathered his stick before whacking the boards and exiting the game.
Tkachuk was given a 10-minute misconduct penalty, while Stanley was given two minor penalties: one for roughing and another for removing Tkachuk’s helmet. He was suspended by the NHL for one game after having a hearing on Sunday.
“I will probably choose my words wisely,” Senators head coach Travis Green said. “If the refs had to do it again and call it again, they’d probably make a different call. You never like to see a guy get suckered in the face. It’s unfortunate, we’re lucky he came back. He’s an All-Star player. I’m sure their team wouldn’t be happy if (Kyle) Connor got suckered in the face and there was just a two-minute minor for roughing called.”
“You hate seeing that,” said teammate Thomas Chabot, who scored twice. “Because you guys all know Brady will stand in front of anybody and will do it on his own. But everybody hates seeing that. He can’t fight. He’s got the hand taped up, and you see that happen. We hate that. But just the way he reacted, it’s great to see that. All he’s worried about is winning and so are we.”
Tkachuk eventually returned to the game in the third period and drew loud applause from the Canadian Tire Centre crowd. He finished the game with an assist in 14:18 of ice time in Ottawa’s win, the team’s second consecutive victory. The Jets, meanwhile, have lost nine consecutive games.