Predators' Johansen rips Ryan Kesler after Game 2
'I don’t know how you cheer for a guy like that'
Nashville Predators centre Ryan Johansen didn't mince words with his assessment of Anaheim Ducks' Ryan Kesler after Game 2 of the Western Conference final on Sunday night.
When asked after the game whether Kesler, who is known for his physical play, had crossed a line in their match-up, Johansen didn't hold back.
"He just blows my mind, I don't know what's going through his head out there," Johansen said. "His family and friends watching him play, I don't know how you cheer for a guy like that.
"It just doesn't make sense how he plays the game. I'm just trying to go out there and play hockey, and it sucks when you have to pull a stick out of your groin after every shift."
Johansen had a goal and an assist in his team's 5-3 loss.
The pair had several physical encounters in the high-scoring contest.
Kesler relishes this, and clearly got under Johansen's skin, which means he's doing his job. Buckle up, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NSHvsANA?src=hash">#NSHvsANA</a> is going to be a doozy. <a href="https://t.co/y4Ld2hug25">pic.twitter.com/y4Ld2hug25</a>
—@GradySasThe series is now at 1-1 and continues with Game 3 on Tuesday night in Nashville at 8 p.m. ET on CBC television and CBCSports.ca.