One of Hockey Night in Canada's most reputable analyst's has called out an NHL player following a dirty hit that took place last week between the Florida Panthers and the Arizona Coyotes.
Bieksa does not hold back
On Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday night, Kevin Bieksa did not hold back when talking about Nick Cousins and his hit on Juuso Valimaki that took place last Tuesday.
Bieksa, one of hockey's most respected voices, went as far as to call Cousins a rat for his play.
You can watch the video below:
"What people don't wanna watch and see is kneeing, hitting a guys head into the boards, ramming a guy from behind and that is a common theme for [Nick Cousins].
I have never done this before but I have to do it, because this is a trend with this player. There's no place in the game for this and what is the common theme in all of these? Him at the bottom of the pile in a turtle position.
This has been a common theme with this player... somebody in that organization or somebody that he respects has to sit down and say 'Enough of this' or the NHL has to come down and hammer this guy. Somebody has to hammer this guy from the department of justice and put an end to these crappy hits because I hate them and that's a rat to me. I'm sorry it is."
You can watch a video of the initial hit below:
The reason the hit was controversial was due to Valimaki being defenseless down on his knees when Cousins came flying in to smoke him on the play.
The 30-year-old Cousins was not suspended for the hit. He did, however, receive a minor penalty on the play.
Something has to change with Cousins
The bottom line is, something has to change with Nick Cousins play. He is quickly becoming one of the most hated players in the NHL.
Bieksa believes the NHL needs to step in and serve Cousins a major suspension before he leaves somebody seriously injured.
