On Tuesday, Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour provided an update on the status of Andrei Svechnikov, who was knocked out after absorbing three punches from the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin in Game Three.
Brind’Amour confirmed that Svechnikov had been taken to the hospital after the fight to be checked out.
Svechnikov is under concussion protocol and Brind’Amour said that Svechnikov is not expected to play in Game Four.
Svechnikov is in concussion protocol. Went to hospital last night. Everything checked out. He’s here this morning. Brind’Amour said he looks normal but assuming he’s out for next game.
Said they’ll be cautious with him.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) April 16, 2019
Brind’Amour said that though the Canes are exercising caution, Svechnikov appears fine.
“From seeing him now, he looks normal, feels great, that’s a real positive sign,” Brind’Amour said.
Brind’Amour emphasized that the Canes were not looking to rush Svechnikov back and that they would call up another player if needed. Svechnikov has two goals and an assist so far in the series.
“I think we’re going to be real careful. We’re always careful,” Brind’Amour said. “This year we’ve dealt with it, I don’t know how many guys, but when guys felt ready to come back we waited weeks after. So we’re certainly not going to rush him back.”
The Canes have dealt with concussion issues during the regular season, including Jordan Staal, who sat out more than two months with a concussion this season.
After Monday night’s game, Brind’Amour said he was sick to his stomach after seeing Svechnikov injured in the fight. On Tuesday, Brind’Amour was asked if he believes fighting is necessary to the game of hockey.
“I don’t think it’s ever been necessary,” Brind’Amour said. “I think it’s been part of the game forever. No, I don’t think it’s necessary. I don’t think you’re ever going to get it away from the game. But it’s tough to see. That’s the worst part of it, when you see guys get hurt. That’s always tough to see.”
Brind’Amour also made a cryptic remark stating his doubts on who initiated the fight. Ovechkin has stated that it was Svechnikov who asked for the fight, and that Ovechkin simply agreed to it.
Brind’Amour on if Svechnikov asked to fight Ovechkin:
“There are two versions of that going around. I’ll just leave it at that.”— Cory Lavalette (@corylav) April 16, 2019
The fight between Svechnikov and Ovechkin is actually the first ever in NHL history between two Russian players during the playoffs. Ironically enough, the first NHL fight with a Russian player featured Brind’Amour as the opponent.
So the fight between Svechnikov and Ovechkin was the first ever Russian fight in the playoffs. And the first Russian fight in more than 20 years. It's funny that the first ever NHL fight that involved a Russian player was between Alexei Kasatonov and… Rod Brind'Amour! #ALLCAPS
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) April 16, 2019
Full RMNB Coverage of Game Three
Headline photo: Sportsnet
