Sam Hitchcock: Bolts Vanquish Avs in OT, Streak at Eleven

Cernak's two handed slash of Rantanen while he was grabbing for his injured shoulder was a nice touch after tripping him 15 feet from the boards. But I'm sure I'll be told that the whole thing was just good old fashioned defense.

https://twitter.com/Heres...tatus/1229605439245033472

Cernak's two handed slash of Rantanen while he was grabbing for his injured shoulder was a nice touch after tripping him 15 feet from the boards. But I'm sure I'll be told that the whole thing was just good old fashioned defense.

https://twitter.com/Heres...tatus/1229605439245033472
- FoppaForever

It was poopty defense but non of it was intentional to injure. First part was unfortunate, he was beat went to the ice they tangled and Rantenan went into the boards awkward. There was no ill intent, he was penalized for tripping which it was. Also he was swiping for the puck coming off the boards not at Rantenan. You can see the puck go right under his stick. Cernak has some issues and can play dirty sometimes but this one was not it.

It was poopty defense but non of it was intentional to injure. First part was unfortunate, he was beat went to the ice they tangled and Rantenan went into the boards awkward. There was no ill intent, he was penalized for interference which it was. Also he was swiping for the puck coming off the boards not at Rantenan. You can see the puck go right under his stick. Cernak has some issues and can play dirty sometimes but this one was not it.
- stammerman

Pretty sure there was no mal-intent here either.

https://youtu.be/RhcKn6fFTwU

Pretty sure there was no mal-intent here either.

https://youtu.be/RhcKn6fFTwU
- FoppaForever

Looks like Cernak got him with an elbow in that video and it was dirty. I am not saying Cernak it a clean player. I am just saying that play last nice was not. No sense arguing because neither of us are going to change each others mind.

Looks like Cernak got him with an elbow in that video and it was dirty. I am not saying Cernak it a clean player. I am just saying that play last nice was not. No sense arguing because neither of us are going to change each others mind.
- stammerman

I actually should apologize, I'm in kind of a salty mood that has nothing to do with you or even the game last night. Though, I would like to make the non-sarcastic point that even when a player has no intent to injure he can still be reckless. And Cernak's history removes some of the usual benefit of the doubt.

Your boys looked good last night from way up in Section 318 at the Can.

Cernak has a mean streak and is not afraid to play dirty or go head-hunting. I don't think the play being discussed here was intentional to injure, but it's the kind of single-minded focus that Cernak brings on D. He doesn't care if a shove turns into something worse because most times it doesn't - or at least that is how I imagine his thinking must be. He doesn't go into an encounter and say "I'm going to destroy this guy", but he does say "Well, if he does get destroyed in the process, then so be it."

Cernak is not my favorite and I wish he would clean up his game. You can be physical and clean at the same time. Anton Stralman was a good example. His hip-check could be brutal, but it was always clean.

Cernak has a mean streak and is not afraid to play dirty or go head-hunting. I don't think the play being discussed here was intentional to injure, but it's the kind of single-minded focus that Cernak brings on D. He doesn't care if a shove turns into something worse because most times it doesn't - or at least that is how I imagine his thinking must be. He doesn't go into an encounter and say "I'm going to destroy this guy", but he does say "Well, if he does get destroyed in the process, then so be it."

Cernak is not my favorite and I wish he would clean up his game. You can be physical and clean at the same time. Anton Stralman was a good example. His hip-check could be brutal, but it was always clean.
- GalacticStone

Based on your description his nickname Drago is spot on. "If he dies, he dies"

I actually should apologize, I'm in kind of a salty mood that has nothing to do with you or even the game last night. Though, I would like to make the non-sarcastic point that even when a player has no intent to injure he can still be reckless. And Cernak's history removes some of the usual benefit of the doubt.

Your boys looked good last night from way up in Section 318 at the Can.
- FoppaForever

It's all good. I would love to see an Avs-Bolts final. They both play the game the right way. Fast, skilled, wide open with a hint of recklessness. Cant stand the clutch and grab teams who get to take advantage in the playoffs because it all goes uncalled.

Best of luck the rest of the way to the Avs. Again hopefully they meet again.

Based on your description his nickname Drago is spot on. "If he dies, he dies"
- stammerman

^this