Tom Wilson is one of a kind, and during Tuesday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks, he proved that once again.
Midway through the third period, Wilson was checked into Anaheim’s bench by Frank Vatrano, who, as Craig Laughlin importantly noted during the Monumental Sports Network telecast, is nicknamed Frank The Tank. Wilson landed on the laps of three different Ducks players: Robby Fabbri (#13), Jansen Harkins (#38), and Isac Lundestrom (#21).
Harkins first greeted the fearless Wilson with a face-wash, which, as I’ve learned throughout the years, is the customary hello between opposing hockey players when they find themselves in a place they do not belong. Then, Wilson just kinda sat there. Like for a good second. Down 3-0, the Ducks players seemed unmoved to help Wilson out of his precarious position so they let him lay on them like he was getting a sun tan as their team enjoyed a brief man advantage.
Wilson, after noticing he was not getting any help, struck up a chat with the Ducks’ bottom six players, perhaps realizing his only way out was via diplomacy or chirping. If I’m lip-reading correctly (please note I’m not a lip-reading expert), Wilson appears to be offering instructions at the end of his unintended bench stay: “Get me up” and “Push!”
All three Ducks players then shoved Wilson up while linesman James Tobias tugged on the bottom of the rugged forward’s jersey to free Willy.
As Wilson skated away, Harkins could be seen cracking a wry smile.
Thus concluding another normal one in the life of Tom Wilson: get checked into another team’s bench, start talking with their players, and then skate away as if nothing crazy happened.
