Boston Bruins
Cassidy Doesn’t Expect Payback For Krug Hit
With Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug’s now famous hit on Blues forward Robert Thomas sending a physical message to the Blues that Bruins can bring a bruising game as well, will St. Louis target Krug and try to get revenge? Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy believes they will definitely finish their checks but will stay within the rules and fair play while doing so.
“No, they’re a pretty honest team St. Louis, I think they’ll finish all their checks whether it’s number 47 or Grezlyk or Clifton, they’re going to play hard, we expect that,” Cassidy said. I don’t expect retaliation, if Torey’s in a bad spot they’re going to get him, I think that’s what’s going to happen.”
While he understands the hype that has resulted from the hit, Cassidy simply sees it as part of playoff hockey and is happy the referees let the two teams play it out.
“I thought it was a bit of a wrestling match at one end, they let it go which I agreed with, it didn’t have a big effect on the play, two guys kind of going at it, it happens probably every series,” Cassidy pointed out. “They could I guess blow the whistle and throw them both in the box, that’s their call. He came up ice and stayed in the play and the hit basically presented itself, I think he was going up the ice to keep a puck alive from what I saw, all of the sudden he finds himself in a position to deliver a big hit, it just ends up being one of those moments that people are talking about, honestly I think because his helmet was off. If his helmet wasn’t off, are we talking about it?
It’s a hit that happens a lot in a physical series, we saw that against Columbus probably 10 times at least those big hits. It was a bit of an iconic moment because of the hair’s flying and the way he fell. It’s good for hockey I think if they’re talked about positively if they’re not then well it goes the other way.”