February 16, 2016
Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas defends like a heat seeking missile and he certainly has a reputation among NHL officials. And deservedly so, as just this season, the 25-year-old has a rap sheet that includes:
• A three-game suspension after a hit on Senators forward Mika Zibanejad.
• The stink eye from Canadiens star P.K. Subban, who ripped Gudas for a low hit on Lucas Lessio.
• An ejection last week for an open-ice hit on Sabres forward Daniel Catenacci, which prompted Buffalo’s Marcus Foligno to call Gudas “an idiot” afterward.
Early in Tuesday night’s game in New Jersey, Gudas was given the gate for this hit against Devils forward Bobby Farnham:
Judgment Day is coming for Radko Gudas with Match penalty assessment.
— Kerry Fraser (@kfraserthecall) February 17, 2016
Devils television analyst Ken Daneyko certainly didn’t agree with Kerry Fraser’s assessment, and there was an argument to be made that Farnham embellished the contact:
Full twist dive after the bump. pic.twitter.com/LmDhC8BHhA
— Ryan Bright (@philabright) February 17, 2016
Aye yi yi.... if that wasn't Gudas, it's an interference minor (& possibly embellishment offset) Still, he has to be much more careful.
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) February 17, 2016
Regardless of whether or not Gudas deserved more than an interference call, I believe the hit was unnecessary considering how far behind the play both players were. What was Gudas trying to accomplish there? Whatever his reasoning, it feels like Gudas’ reputation hurt him here.
On the subject of flopping, Claude Giroux definitely sold a penalty in the third period that led to Wayne Simmonds' go-ahead goal. Still, it wasn't as bad as Devils forward Joseph Blandisi's embellishment in the first period.
— Peter Laviolette (@fakelavy) February 17, 2016
Blandisi was sent to the penalty box for two minutes, which cancelled out Andrew MacDonald's two-minute slash. Credit to him for owning up to it, though:
Blandisi admitted he should have reacted differently on the slash. Said he tried to make sure referee saw it.
— Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) February 17, 2016
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
