Every hockey fan loves a great hit. But when it happens in exhibition games, opinions are usually mixed.
On one hand, some say that pre-season games should be as competitive and ”normal” as regular season games, as it’s important to get into the pace and competitiveness of the season.
But many also feel that there are unnecessary injury risks with big hits in games where it doesn’t really matter if a team wins or loses.
Of course, players generally tend to take it a little easier during exhibition games, but big hits still happen. And on Sunday’s pre-season college game between the University of Minnesota and Bemidji State, a huge collision occurred that quickly went viral and had fans talking.
Mason Nevers, who had 23 points in 40 games for Minnesota last season, skated through the neutral zone when an opponent completely destroyed him.
The collision sure didn’t look all that great, and Nevers had some trouble getting up.
According to writer Eric Vegoe, Nevers will be sidelined for some time, as seen in this post on X:
Hockey fans couldn’t agree on whether the hit was clean on social media. Many thought it was unnecessary, given the scoreline and how little it was left of the game, while some argued that Nevers was to blame.
”Yeah I’m gonna have to say that wasn’t needed in a 4-1 exhibition game with 6 minutes left,” one said.
”It is a legal hit. Keep your head up,” another responded.
”Save for the fact that it’s an exhibition game and not really necessary…..I hate to say it but that’s a clean hit,” a third added.
