Detroit — One of the best reactions to come out of coach Derek Lalonde’s ejection from Tuesday’s game against Pittsburgh was from his daughter Abby.
The 12-year-old was planning on writing to the NHL to complain about Lalonde’s second-period ejection after an unsuccessful goaltender interference call.
“She wanted to email the league and want to get her cents in,” Lalonde said after Wednesday’s practice. “(But) she was a little down on dad’s language, too.”
Lalonde did have a request on the family text chain after.
“I may need one volunteer for public school. Someone may not be going to private school next year, if the league fines me,” Lalonde said.
So, Lalonde had as much fun as he could have with the matter. But ultimately, Lalonde sounded like a coach who would challenge the opposing goal again, if it came to that, though he was disappointed with his conduct.
It’s rare a coach in the NHL gets ejected, and Lalonde didn’t like the fact it happened Tuesday to him.
“Little bit unfortunate,” Lalonde said. “I know it’s just not the culture of our sport. As you guys know, other leagues getting ejected, getting demonstrative on the sidelines or bench, gets applauded sometimes. Our culture is a calm demeanor.
“I’m sure I’ll talk with the league (Wednesday). Again, it’s real, that culture of being demonstrative on the bench, it’s not hockey. You see coaches and coaches get upset and see them react in different ways. I pride myself on being fairly mild-mannered. That’s just not the culture of the NHL, of which I really like and appreciate.”
On the play in question, goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic appeared to be guided, or pushed, into the net with the puck near his skate. Video replay called it a goal for Pittsburgh’s Jeff Carter, that tied the game at 3, and sent Lalonde into disbelief.
There were actually two distinct times Lalonde loudly disagreed. First when the actual goal was scored and allowed, then when video confirmed it.
Likely, the two times combined were enough to get Lalonde tossed. Although, yes, he was a bit shocked.
“It was the accumulation of my reaction on the initial calls, which was a little much, and then our conversation at the timeout, which was three minutes later. It was very calm but I just think he (the official) had enough of a combination of both,” Lalonde said. “I was a little shocked. I don’t know if it was warranted but he has every right to do that. He’s trying to manage a game.
“It was very calm. I asked him one question and said I felt it was under the pad. He said it wasn’t. I had my comment and he probably didn’t like it and didn’t say a word and calmly skated out and gave the sign. I assumed it was an ejection. It was not a heated exchange.
“As far as the call, I would make that challenge 100 out of 100 times. I’m very comfortable with it.”
If anything, Lalonde is disappointed he and his staff are 0-for-3 this season on challenging goaltending interference calls.
“We have to get better in our challenges,” Lalonde said.
Lalonde went back into the dressing room after being tossed and spent the rest of the game watching with the Wings’ video coaches.
Captain Dylan Larkin said after Tuesday’s victory Lalonde’s ejection gave the Wings an added spark in a 7-4 victory. Lalonde wouldn’t totally buy that, but he did like the way the Wings played and competed against a Pittsburgh team battling for a playoff spot.
“We were dialed in as a team throughout,” Lalonde said. “Even the three goals we gave up, our play wasn’t awful. I appreciated (Larkin’s comments) but we were dialed throughout and got what we deserved. That was a good win.”
By the way, this wasn’t Lalonde’s first ejection. He had one in junior hockey, in the United States Hockey League.
“And we came back from three goals in that game,” Lalonde said. “I don’t want to waste them (ejections), but we’re 2-0 on my lifetime ejections.”
Ice chips
Goaltender Ville Husso (lower body) returned to practice Wednesday and, suddenly, it appears Husso could still get some games before the end of the regular season.
“Hopefully the practices go well and Newsy (Lalonde) wants to put me in,” said Husso, who said not playing the last week was a bit precautionary. “I wanted to make sure for the future, I guess too, just to stay on top of it and now just get some practices and hopefully a couple of games.”
Lalonde said Nedeljkovic is getting the start Thursday against Carolina.
… On defense, Ben Chiarot (upper body) will return after missing several weeks, and Lalonde said Simon Edvinsson will return to the lineup for his third NHL game.
… Forward Robby Fabbri (lower body) is officially done for the season, said Lalonde, after having a minor procedure. Lalonde said rehabilitation will take four to six weeks and Fabbri will be ready for training camp.
Hurricanes at Red Wings
▶ Faceoff: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
▶ TV/radio: ESPN+, Hulu/97.1
▶ Outlook: Carolina (47-17-9) is clinging to a three-point lead in the Metropolitan Division over New Jersey, and are coming off a 4-0 home loss Tuesday to Tampa. C Martin Necas (41 assists, 68 points) and C Sebastian Aho (33 goals) pace one of the NHL’s best teams.
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan