Nashville Predators forward Sergei Kostitsyn took the most inopportune time to head to the bench for a line change during Sunday's game, and his team paid for it as the Edmonton Oilers scored a short-handed goal that made the difference in the game.
During a Predators power play in the third period, Kostitsyn mishandled a pass and allowed the puck to travel outside the blue line into the neutral zone. Kostitsyn was then outraced to the puck by Oilers center Sam Gagner, but instead of continuing to chase the play, Kostitsyn immediately gave up and skated to the bench for a change.
The move by Kostitsyn left Predators defenseman Shea Weber and goalie Pekka Rinne hanging out to dry as Gagner and Oilers center Lennart Petrell had a 2-on-1 breakaway. Gagner passed to Petrell for the score to put the Oilers up 2-1, and the Oilers eventually won the game 3-2.
After the game, Kostitsyn admitted to Josh Cooper of The Tennessean that he blew it:
Video via NHL.com. H/T PD.
During a Predators power play in the third period, Kostitsyn mishandled a pass and allowed the puck to travel outside the blue line into the neutral zone. Kostitsyn was then outraced to the puck by Oilers center Sam Gagner, but instead of continuing to chase the play, Kostitsyn immediately gave up and skated to the bench for a change.
The move by Kostitsyn left Predators defenseman Shea Weber and goalie Pekka Rinne hanging out to dry as Gagner and Oilers center Lennart Petrell had a 2-on-1 breakaway. Gagner passed to Petrell for the score to put the Oilers up 2-1, and the Oilers eventually won the game 3-2.
After the game, Kostitsyn admitted to Josh Cooper of The Tennessean that he blew it:
I made a mistake. I went to change, I should have backchecked, but didn’t see the second guy was coming there.Hopefully Kostitsyn has learned a valuable lesson from this and steps up the next time around.
Even if it was a 1-on-1, I should go back, it doesn’t matter if I was tired. I should have gone back and pressured him from behind.
Video via NHL.com. H/T PD.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
