GDT: Eastern Conference Final, Game 1 Canes v. Panthers 5/20, 8:00

[jeffbear]

Both Marchand and Ghost were in the wrong. Marchand went way out of the way skating 100 MPH to try to obliterate Ghost near the boards after he had long gotten rid of the puck and got just a small piece of him. Then Ghost decided to clearly fire a puck directly at Marchand. Both of those were dirty plays.

My only problem with it was Ghost not knowing how to turtle. Go dig up some clips of Marchand from a few years ago, dude. You collapse and protect the head.

I'm not convinced he actually tried to wing him in the face with the puck BTW, but only saw it live ... but from a good angle directly behind Ghost. Still, learn how to turtle, man.

 

[cmaleski2]

I don't think he was trying to hit Marchand in the face with the puck, but it was 100% clear that Ghost was trying to hit him. There is no other explanation for executing a full slapper at that location on the ice in that game situation. Ghost had no issue admitting it in the postgame comments.

 

[HurryCanes]

Suspecting that Ghost and Svetch both will be on the hit list tomorrow.

 

[jeffbear]

I don't think he was trying to hit Marchand in the face with the puck, but it was 100% clear that Ghost was trying to hit him. There is no other explanation for executing a full slapper at that location on the ice in that game situation. Ghost had no issue admitting it in the postgame comments.

Got it. Either just whacking it at him in general or planning to whizz it by his head sounds more like Ghost than plastic surgery by puck. His IS a Florida Man though, so ...

Honestly, if Chatfield is still out they may need to put Nikishin back in just to protect the little guy. Boom may not be NHL playoffs-ready, but he's more than ready for the rough stuff based on how he cleared out McMichael's sinuses with a shoulder thump when he tried to run at Freddie the other night.