Just like Washington’s last visit to Philly, Tuesday’s Caps-Flyers game was ugly. While the matchup on November 1st took a turn for the worst after some Flyers shenanigans, this time it was all on the Caps — specifically Tom Wilson and his charge on Brayden Schenn in the second period. Wilson got a five-minute major and a game misconduct for his troubles. While I think the hit was unnecessary, Wilson never left his feet. If the hit occurred at open ice, it likely would have gone uncalled. Nevertheless, it didn’t. Wilson will be receiving a call from Brendan Shanahan and will probably be sent to the press box for a few games.
There’s a lot of condemnation for Wilson going around, but Adam Oates is having none of it. He’s sticking up for his player.
“I thought it was a clean hit,” Oates told reporters after the game. “I really do. I watched it live, I saw it on the jumbotron, and I watched it again between periods. He had changed, he went across the ice, he slowed down, he saw Schenn come out of the pile with the puck, took two quick strides, Schenn saw him out the last second, and he hit him in the arm. You know, he’s a big strong guy. He hit him hard, yeah. But to me it’s a clean hit. I don’t even think it was a penalty at all.”
“It’s a game-changing call,” he added. “They call it the way they see it. I can’t do anything about it.”
“I feel bad for Willy,” Oates concluded.
