Not often we hear a head coach fan the flames of a beef between two players. Luke Richardson of the Chicago Blackhawks is having no trouble doing it, though.
Reaves vs. Perry
On Monday, when the Blackhawks were in Toronto to face the Maple Leafs, Chicago's Corey Perry and Toronto's Ryan Reaves were in each other's faces several times throughout the game.
Reaves also chirped Perry during and after the game, telling reporters he didn't like him, and hasn't since the first time he played against him.
Coach Goes on the Defensive
Richardson decided to defend his player, telling reporters it was clear who had the bigger impact in the 4-1 Blackhawks win.
"Luke Richardson on the Corey Perry vs. Ryan Reaves beef:
[Perry] was yapping at him from the bench and told him he lost his last two fights. [Reaves] asked him, 'What are you going to do? You're scared of me.' Corey is like, 'I've never been scared a day in my life.'
For the young players to hear that, and then see him go out and wrestle with [Reaves] on the ice and score the game-winning goal, who's more effective in the game?"- Ben Pope, Chicago Sun-Times
It's an interesting quote from the coach, and he might have a point.