When the Minnesota Wild faced off against the Ottawa Senators last week, it was a collision between two Team USA stars (among many others between the two teams) as Senators captain Brady Tkachuk was going in a head-on bout against defenseman Quinn Hughes. One of the top forwards on the opposing team against the blueliner that will be matched up against him.
Just over 10 minutes into the game, as the Senators were rushing up the ice and forced Filip Gustavsson to make a save, Tkachuk and Hughes were seen wrestling after the whistle. It wasn’t a full-blown fight but headlocks and some punches were thrown.
On the latest episode of Wingmen with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, the Senators winger, explained further and joked around a little bit.
“Honestly, I just wanted to score and celly in front of him and say ‘What a sh-tty defensive play’,” Tkachuk said. “Then he kind of crept up in front of me. I shoved him and as I shoved him, I was kind of like ‘If I go too hard he’s going in like a very dangerous position. And then all of a sudden I just felt his arm go around my head. … I just threw body shots galore and I can just hear ‘Ugh, ugh, ugh’.
“We’re in a bad spot in our relationship. Like, he’s dead to me,” Tkachuk joked.
It’s all in good fun. Of course, a little post-whistle scrum won’t affect the relationship between two of the top players on the gold-medal winning Team USA squad. But it is fun to see them mix it up every now and again knowing what they went through in Milan.
The Wild don’t face the Senators again this season, unfortunately. But, could we maybe see this be the Stanley Cup Final? A couple of early upsets in the Eastern Conference and the Wild go on a heater? It’s not impossible.
That’s Wild
The Wild must learn if they can trust Jesper Wallstedt in the playoffs. He’s come up big at times this season, but the postseason is a different beast. [Hockey Wilderness]
When it comes to Charlie Stramel, patience is key. The gargantuan center is going to be all healed up in time for training camp. [Hockey Wilderness]
Thursday’s game against the Stars will tell us a lot about the Wild’s mettle. [Pioneer Press]
Off the trail…
The Washington Capitals shut out the Maple Leafs Wednesday night and made it at least not impossible that they get in the playoffs. [NHL.com]
A legendary NHL defenseman says that the Oilers’ problem isn’t goaltending, it’s their style of play. [Edmonton Journal]
Ron Francis is to step down from his president role with the Seattle Kraken at the end of the season. [Daily Faceoff]
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