John Tavares spears Marek Zidlicky, who didn’t think it’s ‘necessary’
At 18:11 of the third period on Monday night, Marek Zidlicky delivered an open-ice hit on New York Islanders captain John Tavares.
This was not something Tavares appreciated. So he responded like any man carrying a large piece of lumber would respond, which was to cram it into Zidlicky’s lower body.
Tavares was given two minutes for slashing, which is apparently a polite way of saying “spearing.”
The Islanders killed off the penalty, and eventually beat the Devils in the shootout for a 3-2 victory, because that’s what happens when the Islanders and Devils go to the shootout, respectively.
After the game, Zidlicky recalled the spear via Tom Gulitti: "I don't think it was necessary. I don't know what to say. It is what it is.”
Did it hurt? "A little bit the first couple seconds. He hit my stomach, but I'm OK,” he said.
So there you go. Even in spearing, Tavares has impeccable aim.
