Devils' Power Forward Speaks On Major Penalty Against Hurricanes

New Jersey Devils power forward Timo Meier spoke to reporters for the first time since being ejected from Saturday night's game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The 28-year-old was assessed a game misconduct for kneeing against Martin Necas at the 6:28 mark of the third period.

"The ref makes the call, and it is what it is," Meier said after the team's practice in Anaheim. "As a player, you gotta accept it, even if you are not happy with it. They didn't really say anything, so move on from it. It happened, and now just move on."

Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe addressed the major penalty after his team's 5-2 loss in North Carolina.

"It is a tough one," Keefe said. "Obviously, the refs, when they see it live, don't see anything there. They see it as clean. They review it because of the guy laying on the ice after the fact, and the guy laying on the ice plays three and a half of the five minute major. That's a tough one. It is a tough message for the players that maybe if you take a big hit that, laying down on the ice has its benefits."

"I tried to hit him and led with my shoulder," Meier continued, "and then he kind of tried to get out of the way. Maybe it looked a little bit awkward. I thought it was a clean hit, but the referee made the decision. Like I said, I got to accept that as a player."

Necas did not miss a shift after the contact with Meier and remained in the game. Saturday's matchup marked the regular season finale between the Metropolitan Division rivals. The Devils earned a 2-2-0 record against the Hurricanes this season.

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