You might never see a more devastating hit than the one delivered this weekend by Moncton Wildcats defenceman Zachary Malatesta.
In Sunday’s game between Moncton and Rimouski, Malatesta sent Oceanic forward Tyler Boland into orbit with a soul-shattering hit along the boards. Boland was left reeling on the ice as mayhem erupted around him before eventually and unsteadily making his way to the dressing room with the help of a trainer.
And while you never like to see a player get hurt, hockey is a physical game and you have to give credit to Malatesta for keeping it clean. His shoulder was tucked, his feet were stationary and on the ice and the point of contact was the chest. He did come from a good distance and sent Boland dangerously flying into the boards, however, which likely explains the five-minute boarding major and game misconduct Malatesta received as a result.
There hasn’t been a hit that big since Red tried to get his beach cruiser back from Deebo.
