Zac Rinaldo’s hit on Sean Couturier inspired a variety of reactions from onlookers - some say big suspension, others believe the penalty itself was too severe - but how do the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers feel about it?
(See the hit itself in the video above if you have not already.)
Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol did that funny thing where someone says “no comment” and then comments on something, as the Courier Post’s Dave Isaac notes.
“I’m not gonna comment on that hit at all,” Hakstol said. “There’s no place for it. That’s all I have to say. No place for it.”
Couturier left the game and didn’t return thanks to an upper-body injury, certainly a tough break for the Flyers.
It’s worth noting that Rinaldo is most known for his days as a member of the Flyers. That factored into his response to the hit from his own perspective:
Zac Rinaldo said he was "just trying to deliver a clean body check" on Couturier & voiced remorse at possibly hurting 1 of his ex-teammates
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) October 22, 2015
Not a big surprise to see the two sides divided on this issue.
In the grand scheme of things, it’s most important to find out how the Department of Player Safety feels about the hit.
Per a source, the @NHLPlayerSafety already reviewing the Zac Rinaldo charging hit on Sean Couturier. No big surprise there
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) October 22, 2015