Don Cherry tells the cold hard truth behind the Ryan Reaves hit
On Don Cherry's latest edition of his grapevine podcast, the veteran hockey analyst gives fans an inside look as to how the hit potentially happened.
The hockey world has been buzzing around Ryan Reaves the past 24 hours for a dirty hit on Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse.
In last Saturdays game between the Oilers and Leafs, Reaves came in with speed against Nurse coming around the Oilers net, and delivered a forceful check to the head of Nurse. The Oilers defenceman left the game with injury.
According to Liam McCormick of Oilers Daily,he Department of Player Safety explained that Reaves' hit fully satisfied the conditions for an illegal check to the head, warranting the supplemental disciple.
»First, the head is clearly the main point of contact, as Reaves' shoulder makes direct and forceful contact with Nurse's head
Second, the head contact on this check is avoidable. Reaves mistimes this play missing his core and making his head the main point of contact.»
- NHL Department of Player Safety
Now, hockey enthusiasts around are engaging in the topic of "protecting yourself" along the boards, and Don Cherry gives his take on the events that transpired.
"You know it's a funny thing. Nobody [would] ever come around like that with their head down, because the wingers would leave, and as soon as they saw you do that once they'd get you the next time."
-Don Cherry
Indeed, Don Cherry has hit it right on the money. Despite the hit being a horrific headshot, Darnell Nurse has to keep his head up in vulnerable sectors of the ice.
With that being said, it was reported that Ryan Reaves walked to the Oilers dressing to apologize to Nurse for the hit -- but it's also up to Darnell Nurse to avoid making himself vulnerable in that situation
POLL |
Do you gotta keep your head up at times? |
Yes | 131 | 88.5 % |
No | 17 | 11.5 % |
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