A 10-year-old girl was allegedly spat on by a Los Angeles Kings fan while she was wearing an Edmonton Oilers jersey at the teams’ playoff matchup in Southern California, Edmonton winger Evander Kane says.
Cecily Eklund, who was diagnosed with brain cancer at age six, attended Game 3 at Crypto.com Arena as a guest of Kane and the Ben Stelter Fund. She had grown a friendship with the star since her treatment.
The Edmonton Oilers’ left wing brought the allegations to light in an Instagram story in support of Cecily.
“I’m disgusted and appalled at what happened to this amazing little girl in the stands and in a women’s restroom where she was harassed for wearing her jersey and was spit on by a LA fan for doing so,” Kane said in part.
“This type of behavior is gross and completely unacceptable. For any young girl especially someone battling cancer to be treated in such a manner is completely pathetic. Grow up and as this smart lady always says BE KIND!”
Cathy Eklund, Cecily’s mother, spoke with Stephanie Swensrude of 630 CHED about the family’s experience.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NHL stories via Google! Follow Us
“L.A. was definitely a hostile environment,” Eklund said.
“There was a fight just two rows in front of Cecily, she was spit on, sworn at.
“It wasn’t the best experience, but it’s also very important to remember that a couple fans don’t represent the whole fanbase.”
The 10-year-old also seems to be in tremendous spirits.
“Watching hockey in LA is lots different than watching hockey in Canada. Edmonton fans are very different. I think if we can choose to be anything, we should choose to be kind,” she wrote on her Instagram page early Tuesday.
The Los Angeles Kings are looking into allegations of her being spit on in a Crypto.com Arena restroom during Game 3 of the team’s Western Conference first-round playoff series, per TMZ Sports.
Eklund and her mother were at Game 5 on Tuesday in Edmonton as the Oilers took a 3-2 series lead.
After the spitting incident, the fan bases in both cities turned it into an opportunity to raise money for sick children.
As the controversy picked up steam, Kings fans posted Cecily’s Stollery donation page online and encouraged others to donate.
