The Carolina Hurricanes and Detroit Red Wings both exchanged signs of respect after Eddie Lack left last night’s game on a stretcher, but there’s a little controversy surrounding that situation ... from the Red Wings’ perspective.
You see, Andreas Athanasiou may not have collided with Lack if not for a shove/cross-check by Hurricanes forward Victor Rask.
Athanasiou is out for the Red Wings tonight, and as the Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James reports, he blames the Rask hit.
Andreas Athanasiou said he got cross-checked hard by Victor Rask last night on OT goal, then collided with Eddie Lack. Out tonight.
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) March 28, 2017
Here’s a screen grab of that moment via NBCSN/the Fox Sports broadcast:
Now, check it out in full motion:
It’s unfortunate that two injuries came of that overtime-clincher, though one may at least mildly defend Rask in noting that Athanasiou was really displaying his blazing speed on that play.
The Red Wings could very well be eliminated tonight, or soon, but Athanasiou has been a bright spot during a sometimes-glum season for Detroit. Hopefully, like Lack, this is merely a minor issue from an unfortunate collision.
Status of #RedWings Athanasiou is day to day, Ken Holland said.
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) March 28, 2017