Yesterday night, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced a two game suspension for Yanni Gourde for his hit against Mattias Ekholm. All game long, the Kraken were clearly trying to physically antagonize the Oilers, especially pestering Connor McDavid.
When asked about Gourde's suspension and the rough game against the Oilers at practice today, Seattle coach Dave Hakstol made an unbelievable comment by essentially blaming McDavid for making Gourde go postal. Hakstol complained that the referees were intentionally ignoring penalties by McDavid against Gourde, which led to Gourde trying to police the game himself with dirty hits and dirty plays.
It's a bizarre statement from Hakstol, considering that anyone watching that game clearly saw the Kraken's priority of agitating McDavid to try to gain an advantage. Gourde and the Kraken simply went too far, and the suspension against Gourde was completely justified.
Hockey is undoubtedly changing, but it's still a physical game played by professionals who do become emotional. Blaming McDavid and the refs intentionally ignoring calls against him for Gourde losing his cool is a ridiculous look on Hakstol, and will definitely be remembered when these two teams meet again.
