The hit was up high on Athanasiou, and his teammates were not happy about it at all.
Athanasiou was just as upset as his teammates, as he had this to say following the game:
"That guy is known for hitting high, not really worrying about the puck out there and almost trying to hurt people. That's his game; that's what he does. He's an $8 million man with zero goals, so he has to figure out how to do something when making that much. If you can't help the team, I guess you try to hurt guys on the other team. It was a weird play. The puck was there. He could've made a play on the puck. Instead it's like [he had] an intent to try to hurt somebody. He's been known to do that. You have to know when he's on the ice, and he got me there."
NHL community legend, Don Cherry, saw the hit and had something to say about it.
Cherry is known for his honesty when discussing topics in the NHL. He doesn't care who gets their feelings hurt or who disagrees with him, because he is always going to say what is on his mind and have no remorse.
Well, that is exactly what happened with his comment on Trouba's hit.
It was technically a clean hit, but it sure looks like there was intent to hit the upper part of Athanasiou's body.
POLL | ||
Clean hit? | ||
Yes | 15 | 44.1 % |
No | 19 | 55.9 % |
List of polls |