A young ice hockey player has gone viral for a savage attack against a rival in Massachusetts, USA.
The horrific incident played out on the ice midgame, with the Bay State Breakers player striking a member of the opposition in the face.
A viral video of the moment shows the assailant chasing a South Shore Kings player from behind before unleashing a huge blow.
The force of the strike snapped his stick in half after making contact with the child’s head.
However, another clip shows the attack was not entirely unprovoked.
The incident was sparked after two Breakers players targeted their Kings rival with a sandwich hit.
The Kings player avoided a fall, while the Breakers offender hit the ice instead.
He reacted by lashing out with his stick, hitting his rival on the leg, who in turn bundled him back onto the ice.
That left the Breakers player incensed, and he immediately rushed to get payback, striking his opponent from behind.
Several Kings players rushed to defend their stricken teammate, but fortunately the referee was there to protect him.
The offender received a penalty for slashing, but there have been calls for a greater punishment to be dished out, with some demanding a permanent ban.
“Should be his last hockey game,” wrote Facebook user Dennis Moran.
“He’s done for a while. Hard lesson about impulse control. Hope the other kid is okay,” added another, Shana Theiler.
“Wow, I am a big keep it on the field guy, but that’s an absolute felony assault. That was not heat of the moment in competition either, watch him skate up, he knew exactly what he was gonna do. Is the kid OK? How old are these players?” commented X user @TryinghardACL.
“Ban the little punk and send the medical bills to his mommy and daddy,” added @TheGnome11.
