H.S. Goalie Scores An Own Goal, Flips The Bird & Quits Mid-Game
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Farmington varsity hockey team lost 3-2 to Chaska Tuesday night on Senior Night, but it wasn't the loss that created the buzz. It was the way they lost.
With about three minutes to play in regulation and Farmington leading 2-1, senior goalie Austin Krause surprised everybody when he grabbed the puck from behind his own net, scored on his own goal to tie the game and then flipped the middle finger to his bench.
He followed with a salute gesture, then skated off the ice. Chaska scored the game-winning goal about a minute later. Krause was reportedly disgruntled over playing time.
Farmington hockey players were instructed not to talk to WCCO when the athletes showed up for practice on Wednesday.
"This is something new, and this is something different, and this is not something we have seen before," said Farmington Principal Ben Kusch.
The video went viral -- linked by websites around the country. Krause tweeted Wednesday that he'd been suspended for 10 days, but the principal wouldn't confirm it.
"We're talking about kids here, so there really isn't much that I can discuss in terms of what those behavior consequences, or disciplinary consequences might be," Busch said.
While younger kids skated at the rink, parents talked about the incident.
"I guess I was a little surprised, but you know, I guess kids will be kids," said Amber Anderson of Apple Valley. "I guess if he had a good reasoning, I guess I support him. But I don't know."
The video was taken down from YouTube early this afternoon, but the impact has already been made.
"I was just disappointed because I think the kid must have had some frustration that he would do that and not be a team player," said Janelle Wall of Farmington.
WCCO tried to reach Krause and his parents, but they did not return our phone calls or messages.
