In a second it was over. The potential repeat Norris Trophy. The Senators playoff chances. With one slice of Matt Cooke‘s skate, it severed the Achilles Tendon of the Senators’ best player and also shattered the hearts of Sens fans everywhere. The chances of the Senators withstanding the loss of one superstar was slim, but doable. Take away Jason Spezza AND Erik Karlsson, and not a chance.
Feb 13, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) is helped off the ice after being injured during the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
It kind of reminds me of the Simpson’s episode where the Nuclear Power Plant hires a bunch of Major Leaguers to be ringers for the company softball team, and one by one they all befell a bunch of freak accidents.
Now many people will be pointing the finger at Cooke, based on his reputation and the anger of losing your best player for the season. But I truly don’t think it was intentional, and that it was an accidental play with a player finishing his check. You would expect Chris Neil or Zack Smith to do the same given the opportunity to finish a check on Kris Letang.
Here’s hoping that bad things truly don’t come in threes.