On Sunday night, British hockey fans gave a standing ovation to Sheffield Steelers defenceman Matt Petgrave, the player whose skate blade sliced the neck of opponent Adam Johnson last month, leading to his death.
The 8,000 people in attendance stood on their feet and clapped after he was shown on the jumbotron in the 22nd minute, though he didn't even lace up his skates for the game.
Footage of the event was captured by BBC journalist Peter Spencer, who posted on X that the fans were, in fact, "show[ing] their support & love" for Petgrave.
In the 47th minute, a video tribute to Johnson played on the jumbotron and also garnered a thunderous round of applause from the fans.
Johnson, who had a brief stint in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins before transferring to the Nottingham Panthers of the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League in August, collided with Petgrave during a game on October 28.
The blade of Petgrave's skate swung up and slit Johnson's neck, causing him to bleed out on the ice. Emergency medical personnel rushed him to a nearby hospital, but it was too late. He succumbed to his injuries and was soon declared dead.
The 8,000 people in attendance stood on their feet and clapped after he was shown on the jumbotron in the 22nd minute, though he didn't even lace up his skates for the game.
Footage of the event was captured by BBC journalist Peter Spencer, who posted on X that the fans were, in fact, "show[ing] their support & love" for Petgrave.
In the 47th minute, a video tribute to Johnson played on the jumbotron and also garnered a thunderous round of applause from the fans.
Johnson, who had a brief stint in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins before transferring to the Nottingham Panthers of the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League in August, collided with Petgrave during a game on October 28.
The blade of Petgrave's skate swung up and slit Johnson's neck, causing him to bleed out on the ice. Emergency medical personnel rushed him to a nearby hospital, but it was too late. He succumbed to his injuries and was soon declared dead.
Johnson's family called Petgrave's actions "reckless," with his aunt pointing out that, "whether you lost your balance or not, to have that leg come up that high and do a kicking motion like he did, that is just unacceptable."
British police opened an investigation into the incident, however no charges have been announced.
