Ilya Kovalchuk has always been known more for his hot stick than mean gloves, but the Russian forward showed a different side of his game Thursday.
Playing against Sweden at the 2015 Channel One Cup, Kovalchuk cross-checked Patrik Zackrisson in the face, and then earned another minor penalty for roughing to boot.
Ilya Kovalchuk lost his temper a little bit when Russia played Sweden in the Channel One Cup today... pic.twitter.com/e5xhZz0SA0
— Robert Söderlind (@HockeyWebCast) December 17, 2015
North American hockey fans could get a close look at Kovalchuk for the first time since he left the NHL next September, should he play for Russia at the 2016 World Cup.