John Scott surprises Patrick Kane with big bodycheck in All-Star Game (Video)
NASHVILLE – Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane received a neutral zone pass in the NHL All-Star Game and then quickly found himself on the ice of Bridgestone Arena after a monstrous body check by enforcer John Scott.
Kane said the play wasn’t scripted, but really his Central Division teammates had something else in mind in their 20 minute game against the Pacific Division All Stars.
“I mean, don’t tell Kaner this, but Central Division rivals set him up for a (suicide) pass,” said Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn. “John Scott did his part.”
After the play, Scott was stopped on a breakaway by Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne. Kane then scored on Los Angeles Kings netminder Jonathan Quick and quickly engaged in a fake fight with Scott. The two were teammates with the Blackhawks for two seasons, and have a bit of a friendship. Scott, a 6-foot-8 enforcer was voted into the NHL’s All-Star Game due to a viral internet campaign.
“I don’t know if he was expecting me to drop them with him. It was a fun little moment,” Kane said.
Said Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, “Kane would have suckered him good if they really went at it.”
Kane seemed shocked that Scott delivered such a forceful check. Hitting is generally frowned upon in an All-Star Game. Before the contest there were questions as to whether the hulking Scott could tone down his physicality for the 3-on-3 contest in Nashville.
“That was unexpected,” Kane said. “I don’t know if I expected too much hitting in the All-Star Game, let alone 3-on-3 in the All-Star game, so he caught me off guard there.”
Though the hit was surprising Kane believed how it played out will turn into one of the more memorable moments from the game.
“It caught me off guard a bit for sure,” Kane said. “I think the whole sequence with him hitting me and going down on a breakaway and getting the shot and me going back the other way and scoring a goal and then the fight after will be something pretty cool for people to play over and over again.”
The whole weekend Kane was booed lustily by the Bridgestone Arena crowd. He was ready for it in the Saturday skills competition, but figured it would be toned down for Sunday’s game with him playing on the same team with the hometown Predators. It wasn’t.
Fans hadn’t forgotten all the divisional battles between the Blackhawks and the Predators.
The two teams have faced off in the playoffs twice with Chicago winning both times in six games.
“They booed me all weekend. I don’t think they like the Blackhawks here,” Kane said. “I didn’t expect it. Usually when we’re here you don’t really hear too many boos when you touch the puck or anything like that. Playing with the Predators and on the Central Division team I thought they’d be cheering for us but still got booed when I touched the puck. I guess that’s how it is.”
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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper
