In the final minute of last night’s game, Minnesota Wild forward Thomas Vanek had a run-in with Braden Holtby. It did not end well for Vanek.
Or his stick.
Vanek had taken extra whacks at a rebound, slashing Holtby a few seconds earlier. So Brooks Orpik deposited the talented forward into the crease and the Holtbeast – protecting his goalie den – took care of the rest.
First, he mauled Vanek with both arms, knocking him to the ice. Then he ripped Vanek’s stick out of his hands.
As Vanek’s twig lay lonely on the ice, Holtby found the temptation too much, so he decided to knock it all the way to the corner boards. This is sassy Braden Holtby at his finest.
During the next whistle, Holtby laughed because of course he did.
