On the morning after the most infamous loogie since the “Seinfeld” Keith Hernandez episode passed through his lips and onto the face of opponent Drew Doughty, Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller made his first public comments about the incident.
“I wanted to take a moment to address what occurred in (Sunday) night’s game,” Miller, who was ejected on a match penalty late in the first period of the Rangers’ 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, wrote on his Twitter account on Monday.
“I have all the respect in the world for Drew Doughty and what happened was completely accidental. I would never intend to do something like that on purpose, it goes against everything I am as a person and player. I felt awful about it and I am thankful Drew gave me the opportunity to apologize and explain myself in person after the game.”
Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller was ejected from Sunday’s game after spitting in Kings defenseman Drew Doughty’s face. MSG Network
The NHL announced on Monday that Miller will have a hearing regarding the incident, and he could be in line for a suspension. In 2019, Garnet Hathaway, then of the Capitals, was banned three games without pay for spitting on the Ducks’ Erik Gudbranson.
Sunday’s incident occurred during a scrum of players along the wall inside the Rangers zone. There wasn’t much to it until Doughty got sprayed as he glided toward Miller. Afterward, Doughty sounded more nonplussed than angry.
Kings defenseman Drew Doughty talking with a referee after being spat on by the Rangers’ K’Andre Miller. Getty Images
Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller being escorted off the ice after his ejection. AP
“I was just shocked, obviously,” said the 2016 Norris Trophy winner. “I don’t even know if I said anything to [Miller] after [that] … I just immediately went to the ref to try to get the penalty but you don’t want to see things like that in this game.
“Whether or not he meant to do it, I have no idea. It was a pretty big loogie on my face so I was pretty pissed.”