Mathieu Olivier hit Erik Černák into the boards, but I wouldn’t say it was from behind. I don’t often excuse a hit because the opponent “turned his back”, but in this case Olivier did enough to reduce the danger of impact .
Cernak has been boarded a lot over his career, and the majority of them were scum hits directly on the numbers as revenge for his own physical play (not this play). Olivier also has a history of throwing bad hits and is often penalized for hits from behind specifically. Finishing a guy through his back, even if the initial contact is more diagonal, should always be a penalty imo. This type of check is borderline and deserving of a minor penalty, a no call is harsh imo.
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Ah I see now I see you are anti-Florida teams… (I’m kidding)
Another great video!
Cernak has been boarded a lot over his career, and the majority of them were scum hits directly on the numbers as revenge for his own physical play (not this play). Olivier also has a history of throwing bad hits and is often penalized for hits from behind specifically. Finishing a guy through his back, even if the initial contact is more diagonal, should always be a penalty imo. This type of check is borderline and deserving of a minor penalty, a no call is harsh imo.
I agree, but I probably wouldn't disagree if a minor was called either.
Olivier pulled up, not hitting with full force. Good to see in those circumstances.
I'd include Cernak in the list of rat players and give every other player in the league a hall pass to board him once