Watch: Bruins' Ritchie answers bell after reckless hit on Lightning's Gourde
Boston Bruins forward Nick Ritchie was handed a five-minute major for boarding Tampa Bay Lightning forward Yanni Gourde during the second period of Game 4 on Saturday.
Gourde remained on the ice for several moments before heading to the dressing room under his own power. The 28-year-old returned for the start of the third period.
YIKES#GoBolts Yanni Gourde down on the ice after this hit by #NHLBruins Nick Ritchie pic.twitter.com/3vsYn0zmFd
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@TheReplayGuy) August 29, 2020
Victor Hedman capitalized on the ensuing five-minute power play to extend the Lightning lead. Tampa Bay went on to win 3-1.
Ritchie answered the bell when challenged, dropping his mitts with Gourde's linemate Barclay Goodrow minutes into the third frame.
#NHLBruins Nick Ritchie and #GoBolts Barclay Goodrow drop the gloves pic.twitter.com/mZ8BpKdhvB
— Here's Your Replay ⬇️ (@TheReplayGuy) August 29, 2020
Following the contest, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy voiced his opinion on the play.
"Good player. Clever player, obviously," Cassidy said, according to Boston Hockey Now's Jimmy Murphy. "Got them on the power play for five minutes. Finished the game with no problems."
Ritchie, who led all players with 12 penalty minutes in the contest, said he was just trying to impose his physicality and didn't mean to injure Gourde.
"I had no intent to put a guy on the ice and injure anybody ... I'm just playing my game. That's part of it," he said, according to NHL.com's Wes Crosby.
The Lightning now own a 3-1 series lead and can advance to the Eastern Conference Final with a win Monday in Game 5.