In the third period of the New York Rangers’ 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 2 of their first-round series Thursday night, forward Jeff Carter stirred up a bit of a hornet’s nest.
With less than three minutes left in the game, Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin, the favorite to claim the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goalie this season, left his crease to play a puck behind the net.
Shesterkin attempted to return to the blue paint only to be struck down by Carter when their left legs made contact.
As several of the Rangers attempted to mob Carter, Shesterkin laid on the ice for several moments and was attended to by athletic trainer Jim Ramsay. After taking a few moments to gather himself, Shesterkin remained in the game.
Carter was issued minor penalties for goaltending interference and roughing.
Following the game, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan labeled the incident as “just hockey.”
Shesterkin, through a translator, indicated he was fine and “just fell pretty poorly, landed poorly.”
Rangers coach Gerard Gallant was a bit more verbose.
“I wasn’t too happy, obviously,” Gallant said. “In a game like that, I mean there’s no reason for it. I was disappointed, (Carter) going after (Shesterkin) a little bit like that.
“Carter’s a good, honest player. But it just didn’t look good tonight.”
