Florida Panthers forward A.J. Greer was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for interference after checking Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary from behind in the third period of Friday’s game at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Greer, 29, scored Florida’s only goal of the game earlier in the period, but he was assessed 17 minutes of penalties and kicked out at the 11:14 mark of the final frame. After initially being called for a hook on Zary, Greer continued to pursue the Flames forward and pushed him dangerously into the corner boards.
As Zary remained in discomfort on the ice, the Calgary skaters on the ice immediately went after Greer in response. Greer was initially escorted to the penalty box after the post-whistle scrum, but after a brief review, he was ejected from the game and the Flames were given a seven-minute power play.
AJ Greer pushes Connor Zary into the boards from behind.
An unnecessary, dirty, BS hit. He should get suspended for that.
🎥: Sportsnet | #Flames
On the ensuing man-advantage, both the Flames and Panthers took additional minor penalties, and Florida defender Niko Mikkola also left the game with an injury. Flames center Morgan Frost scored on a 5-on-3 power play at the 16:59 mark of the third, with Sharangovich and Zayne Parekh recording the assists; 31 seconds later, Matt Coronato added a goal of his own, assisted by Matvei Gridin and Blake Coleman.
Those two goals gave the Flames a 4-1 lead, which they held until the final buzzer. In his post-game media availability, Flames head coach Ryan Huska called Greer’s actions “awful” but did not provide a concrete update on Zary’s status.
“Terrible hit,” Huska said. “I don’t really have much else to say about that. But it just shouldn’t happen when someone’s in that position.”
Greer previously played for the Flames in the 2023-24 season after being claimed off waivers from the Boston Bruins. The 6’3″ winger skated in 59 games with the Flames that year, collecting six goals, 12 points, and 35 penalty minutes.
The Panthers signed Greer to a two-year contract as an unrestricted free agent in 2024. After helping the Panthers win the Stanley Cup in 2025, the Joliette, Que. product has already set career highs in goals (13) and points (24) in 68 games with the Panthers this season.
In 316 career NHL games over parts of nine seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, New Jersey Devils, Bruins, Flames, and Panthers, Greer has collected 32 goals and 73 points. The 2015 second-round pick has added two goals and three points in 16 career playoff contests.
