Player Safety makes a decision on the Ryan Reaves hit; ''I hit like a football player''
Just three minutes into the first period of the Minnesota Wild/Detroit Red Wings game last night, Wild forward Ryan Reaves delivered quite possibly the biggest hit of the season on Wings' defenseman Filip Hronek. As Hronek was exiting the zone, he took a quick look back to see if he would be able to drop the puck back. Unfortunately, that split-second decision led him right into the trolley-tracks and Reaves' shoulder. It was a clean hit, although the head was the primary point of contact, however, as the NHL rulebook states, and Department of Player Safety confirmed, there was "unavoidable head contact." Reaves is not facing any supplemental discipline for the hit due to this and the fact that Hronek put himself in a vulnerable position.
Post-game, Reaves was asked about the hit saying, "Honestly, he locked eyes with me. Like, I saw him look at me and then he just kind of turned his head and held on to the puck. ... I hope he's OK, but you've gotta know when I'm on ice and definitely don't skate at me like that." Reaves went on to say that he hits more like a football player, explaining that he often hits straight on with his chest, while pushing his arms/hands forwards.
To the Wings' credit, they did not see it as a dirty hit, as Wings' defenseman Ben Chiarot said, "He had the puck but he was kind of looking back, he was kind of in a tough spot. Obviously, when a guy like Reaves is on the ice, those things can happen. Tough one to watch.»
If Don Cherry still made Rock'em Sock'em videos the clip of that hit would be the one that plays at the opening of the video. Reaves has three previous suspensions, but as mentioned will not receive any supplemental discipline for his hit last night.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 15 | 105 ANSWERS Player Safety makes a decision on the Ryan Reaves hit; ''I hit like a football player'' Did Player Safety get this one right? | ||
| Yes | 65 | 61.9 % |
| No | 40 | 38.1 % |
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