Coach’s Corner: ‘Never go into the corner like that’

Ron MacLean and Don Cherry discuss the Penguins and Lightning retaliating for hits in Game 1, Phil Kessel, and why coaches shouldn’t yell at their players while on camera.

The stars were out Friday night and not in a good way.

Kris Letang, Ben Bishop and Tyler Johnson all suffered injuries in the first period of Game 1 between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning with Bishop being taken away on a stretcher.

Letang was hit into the end boards by Ryan Callahan who was given a five minute major for boarding.

“Again, I’m not blaming the victim but you know Callahan’s on the ice,” said Don Cherry on Coach’s Corner. “He hits — that’s the name of the game — he’s like [Brendan] Gallagher, and Letang I admire for putting the puck behind the net and taking the hit to make the play. But kids, never go into a corner like that.”

Later in the period, Chris Kunitz hit Johnson along the end boards, sending Johnson to the ice with an apparent leg injury. Ron MacLean asked if Don thought the hit was retribution.

“Absolutely, that’s a retaliation,” said Cherry.

This was already a series in which star players Steven Stamkos and Marc-Andre Fleury were out of action while Lightning defenceman Anton Stralman may soon return after suffering a long-term leg injury.

Who’s left standing at the end of the game is anyone’s guess.

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