With 7:46 left in the first, the Rangers were primed to receive the game's first power play after McDonald leveled Rangers defenseman Steve Eminger with a highelbow just inside the blue line.
It is an important nuance to prepare players to put their bodies on the enemy in a skillful yet forceful way, yet teach them not to get so angry when the enemy returns the favor that the teenager overreacts and turns a hip check or highelbow into a straight jab.
Defoe was shown a red card by referee Martin Atkinson four minutes later after he caught Villa defender James Collins with his elbow as they challenged for a high ball, the striker vehemently protesting his innocence to no avail.