Class act
Posted 3:10 PM ET | Comments 3
Last night at the Canucks-Stars game, I saw something that likely didn't show up on the TV coverage or in any post-game media write ups.
Late in the game (3rd or 4th OT): The players were all obviously exhausted and both teams were feeling the pressure. Willie Mitchell was clearing the front of the net on a Dallas rush. He gave Niklas Hagman a push off to the side of the net. Hagman fell and Mitchell, leaning on him, landed on him. The play turned back the other way but Mitchell took a second to get up, lean over to check that Hagman was OK, give him a slap on the shoulder and head off to join the play.
This to me is a perfect example of why NHL Hockey is the best pro sport in the world. Earlier in the game, this wouldn't have happened but through the long OT, these warriors feel each other's pain and gain (not lose) respect for each other.
Nice move, Willie. You're a class act.
Late in the game (3rd or 4th OT): The players were all obviously exhausted and both teams were feeling the pressure. Willie Mitchell was clearing the front of the net on a Dallas rush. He gave Niklas Hagman a push off to the side of the net. Hagman fell and Mitchell, leaning on him, landed on him. The play turned back the other way but Mitchell took a second to get up, lean over to check that Hagman was OK, give him a slap on the shoulder and head off to join the play.
This to me is a perfect example of why NHL Hockey is the best pro sport in the world. Earlier in the game, this wouldn't have happened but through the long OT, these warriors feel each other's pain and gain (not lose) respect for each other.
Nice move, Willie. You're a class act.
Don't forget that Mitchell used to be a Star. I don't know if Hagman was on the team the same time as him but that could be why. If not I guess he really is pretty classy.
i dont think he was. hagmans only been there roughly a year. thats how i used to play i would give the most bone crushing hits, but if he didnt get up i would be the first one to stop play and make sure hes ok
Mitchell is tough and gritty but proves you can be both and still have class on and off the ice. That is why he was arguably the most popular player in the Wild's short history. I know he was my favorite and we miss him as a person and a member of the twin cities community even more than as a player