Rachel Barkley
The Carolina Hurricanes are no strangers to the heated competition of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, nor are they unfamiliar with the Vice Grip-like pressure from their opponents’ passionate fan bases. However, Saturday was a step into uncharted territory with a profound statement from an unexpected source.
Play-by-Play Announcer Jim Jackson Shares Injury-Related Strategy for Flyers to Deal with Hurricanes Goaltender Frederik Andersen
On May 2, shortly after Game 1, a new episode of NBC Sports Philadelphia’s podcast, Flyers Talk, aired. In it, Flyers television play-by-play announcer Jim Jackson, Flyers reporter and host Ashlyn Sullivan, and journalist Jordan Hall reflected on the Second Round’s series opener with the Hurricanes, and discussed what would be needed in the upcoming games.
However, for Jackson, a taboo topic was brought forward in what seemed like a call to injure Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen.
“You have to get into Freddie Andersen’s grill; he is not a goalie who likes that stuff – he also gets injured from contact,” Jackson said. “I’m not saying ‘go on, try to hurt him’, but if there happens to be physical contact, there is a chance he could get dinged up.”
However, despite the apparent effort to clean it up, he seemed to have doubled down on the previous statement moments later.
“He’s one of those goalies you want to get off his game anyway you can, and if he happens to get hurt, so be it – because he does have an injury history, and he has a history of struggling a little bit in the playoffs once he loses his way a little bit.
“So, Flyers have to do a little bit more, I think, to get him to that point.”
Hurricanes Fans React to Jackson’s Questionable Remarks
Physicality has always been part of hockey, and especially so in the postseason, but seemingly suggesting injuries to be inflicted by those with such esteemed standing is something a bit unprecedented.
“Sounds like he doesn’t believe his team is good enough to beat the Canes & the only way they have chance is to intentionally make contact with Freddie to injure him,” one Hurricanes fan analyzed. “When someone makes a statement like that and then tries to soften it with a “but” you know what he is hoping for.”
“This is insane that he, a “professional”, thought this; but especially, said this out loud,” said another.
“There is an ex Flyer who will punish this behavior,” mentioned another fan, referencing enforcer and grinder Nicolas Deslauriers, whom the Hurricanes received at the Trade Deadline.
Truly, while it is a shame that anyone would insinuate injury-related strategies, it is something that has become far too common outside of the media and in the dark corners of sports fanbases, and as such, brings little surprise that such ideas have made their way into the mainstream.
Perhaps it is less of a result of passionate fans amidst heated postseason rivalries, and more a symptom of the times – a streak of the darkness that society has allowed into their hearts and minds in part due to the toxic nature that has become commonplace in the digital age.
With hope, no bad faith actions will come of this dilemma – for anyone on any side.
