Leafs’ Bobby McMann, Lightning’s Gage Goncalves ejected from game
Monday’s game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning saw some physicality, including a sequence where a player from each team was ejected.
Three minutes into the third period, Lightning forward Gage Goncalves was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for kneeing Leafs’ defender Dakota Mermis.
#GoBolts 🆚 #LeafsForever • 2025 DEC 08 • Gonclaves received a kneeing major • Maxwell Crozier 🆚 Dakota Joshua is linked: hockeyfights.com/fights/n272445 Vid via @primevideo
After the whistle was blown, Toronto forward Bobby McMann receives a match penalty for a slash on Tampa forward Oliver Bjorkstrand.
Subsequently, Bobby McMann received a match penalty for this slash on Oliver Bjorkstrand 😳
Gage Goncalves received a 5-minute major and a game misconduct for kneeing on Dakota Mermis
Amid all the chaos, Leafs’ forward Dakota Joshua and Lightning defenseman Maxwell Crozier squared off at center ice.
Goncalves, 24, finished the night with two shots, 15 penalty minutes and 5:25 of ice time. As for McMann, the 29-year-old forward had three shots and 15 penalty minutes in 9:17 of ice time.
The Leafs won the game 2-0, thanks to a Morgan Rielly goal late in the first period and an Auston Matthews empty netter.
Through 29 games in 2025-26, Goncalves has two goals and five assists for seven points and 21 penalty minutes. Across three NHL seasons, the 2020 second-round pick has 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points in 91 regular-season games. He’s also recorded one goal and three assists for four points in five Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Meanwhile, McMann has eight goals and six assists for 14 points and 30 penalty minutes in 28 games this season. Now in his fourth NHL seasons, the Wainwright, Alta., native has 43 goals and 30 assists for 73 points in 169 regular-season games. He’s also got three assists in 13 playoff games.
The Leafs are now 14-11-4 with 32 points, while the Lightning are are 16-12-2 with 34 points. Toronto’s next game is Thursday when they host the San Jose Sharks, while Tampa immediately heads to Quebec to take on the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday.