The Calgary Flames keep finding ways to remain in the Western Conference playoff race and Don Cherry says the way the players sacrifice their bodies by blocking shots is a major contributor.
“Every morning I get the stats and I look at the blocked shots and the hits and never have I seen a guy like Kris Russell,” Cherry said on Coach’s Corner on Hockey Night Canada Saturday.
Related: The secret to Kris Russell’s shot-blocking success
Heading into Saturday night’s action, Russell led the NHL in blocked shots with 221. The next closest player, Nashville Predators blueliner Roman Josi, has 175. Flames Dennis Wideman and TJ Brodie rank fifth and eighth with 153 and 142 blocks, respectively.
“Ya the goaltender and Ramo and everybody’s going good [but] they pay the price in Calgary,” Cherry said. “That Russell is unbelievable.”
