The Olympic Athletes of Russia pulled off a thrilling victory over Germany in the Men’s Hockey gold medal game on Sunday to capture its second gold of the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. After Russian forward Nikita Gusev tied the game with 56 seconds remaining in regulation, Kirill Kaprizov sealed the deal with an overtime blast of his own.
Viewers were quick to congratulate both teams on their efforts, but a former NHL player wasn’t fond of a particular call. Kaprizov’s goal came on the power play after German forward Patrick Reimer was awarded a high-sticking penalty when Russian captain Pavel Datsyuk appeared to lift Reimer’s stick into his own face. Penalty calls in any overtime period tend to come with debate, but it came with extra importance considering the magnitude of the game. Brandon Prust, who’s been out of NHL action since the 2015-16 season, voiced his displeasure with the controversial decision.
Prust plays for the DEL’s Nuremberg Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers, so it’s understandable why he was so disgusted with the call. Obviously the veteran of 486 NHL games made sure to link the comment to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. No surprises there!
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Hockey fans watching the game also expressed their displeasure with the decision on the ice.
Regardless of the call, Germany took the loss with class and made sure to celebrate their country’s best finish in Men’s Hockey at the Games. High-stick or not, this one will likely be debated for a long time.
(H/T Brandon Prust)
