Former NHLers skewer Radko Gudas for gutless low bridge hit on Leafs winger
One of the major turning points in the Leafs comeback victory over the Florida Panthers last night was Radko Gudas' dangerous, low bridge hit on Pierre Engvall. Gudas, one of the league's better open ice hitters, opted to go after Engvall's lower body with a dangerous hit midway through the second period, rather than just finishing a clean check shoulder to shoulder.
Leafs 4th liner Zach Aston-Reese took exception to the hit and instantly dropped the gloves for a good old fashioned scrap. However, instead of obliging him and answering the bell for his gutless hit, Gudas opted to take the coward's way out, dropping to his knees in a classic, pathetic turtle maneuver. Aston-Reese was assessed a 2-minute minor for roughing on the play.
On his next shift, Aston-Reese cut hard toward the net with the puck, only to be sent flying into the post by none other than Radko Gudas. Gudas was called for charging and Auston Matthews scored on the ensuing power play, kicking off the Leafs' comeback.
Today on Leafs Morning Take, former Leaf Jay Rosehill took Gudas to task, both for the hit and for refusing to answer the bell afterwards.
On the same show, former NHLer Anthony Stewart had an interesting take, suggesting that Gudas' cowardice when challenged by Aston-Reese caused the referees to look for a reason to call a penalty on him. He also opined, surprisingly, that Gudas should be a possible trade target for the Leafs to add going into the playoffs if the Panthers end up sellers at the deadline.
Personally, I think the Leafs get called for enough chintzy penalties in the playoffs. Gudas would spend more time in the penalty box than on the ice if he were a Leaf come playoff time. The last thing this team needs is to be handing out powerplays every time Gudas loses his temper. For the cost to acquire him, and the cap space he would take up, I'm hoping Dubas takes a pass on Gudas and finds another option elsewhere.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 18 | 363 ANSWERS Former NHLers skewer Radko Gudas for gutless low bridge hit on Leafs winger What word best describes Gudas' game last night? | ||
| Intense | 56 | 15.4 % |
| Gutless | 121 | 33.3 % |
| Cowardly | 108 | 29.8 % |
| Spineless | 78 | 21.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
