Nick Piccone
On Thursday night, the Flyers finally notched one in the win column against the Buffalo Sabres, winning 5-1. But the bigger story of the night might have been the hit Radko Gudas laid on the Sabres’ Dan Catenacci late in the third period. It was a hit that probably wasn’t warranted, as you’ll see below.
Gudas was brought to Philly not only for cap space relief, but also for his tough style of hockey. He’s shown often he isn’t afraid to go after the big hit, regardless of the result, as you can see in the video above.
Gudas was already on the Sabres’ shitlist at that point. Earlier in the game, he tried checking Marcus Foligno with a hip check and both players wound up getting their legs caught up. Foligno thought it was an attempt at a dirty hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPV-x3v_CvE
He called Gudas an “idiot” after the game.
I don’t want to talk about that guy. That guy’s an idiot and stupid,” Foligno said. “He gets his hits in, he’s dirty and he’s been known for it. He goes after a rookie who plays in three games and goes right at his head. He’s an idiot, that guy. That’s all I can say. I wish that me and (Nicolas Deslauriers) were out on the ice at that time and we could’ve done a little worse damage to him.”
Catenacci was going through testing after the game, according to Buffalo coach Dan Bylsma.
“I think there’s no question it’s a head hit,” Bylsma said. “It’s also a guy who had two other guys on him and he stepped up into him clearly. I don’t think there’s too much question about it. The refs took care of it on the ice, as did Jake McCabe.”
Gudas was suspended earlier this season for three games due to this hit on the Senators’ Mika Zibanejad:
I’m willing to bet Gudas sees another suspension. Catenacci underwent concussion testing after leaving the game. The score was 5-1 and it was a harmless play, really. Not sure what Gudas is thinking there.
Oh, and Shayne Gostisbehere is one point away in the next game from breaking the Flyers’ rookie scoring streak record. Mikael Renberg is currently the record-holder at 10 games.