“Batman” is widely known to be a protector of Gotham City. Well, on April 15, 2019, Alain Vigneault became the “Batman” of the Flyers (Although, it wasn’t known till now). The franchise turned to an experienced mind to right the ship that was starting to sail after Dave Hakstol struggled to navigate the stormy seas.
Things got a little bit chippy towards the end of Game 6, as Flyers star defenseman Matt Niskanen cross-checked Brendan Gallagher, as he intended to hit him directly in the center of his body, but Gallagher moved at the last second, and the point of impact instead was his face. The Montreal Canadiens have taken it physically to the Flyers, and the Flyers were caught on their heels often in Game 5. How does Alain Vigneault set the tone for Game 6? Well, he said yesterday that Niskanen should not be suspended, as it was a hockey play. One day later after Niskanen was suspended for one game of reporter gave Vigneault the chance to walk back his comments from yesterday, but then Vigneault went full heels on the reporter, “At the end of the day, I can only state the facts. The fact was that Gallagher got up and his mouth didn’t shut up for at least five minutes, to the referees, the linesmen and to our bench for nearly five minutes.He didn’t look like he was hurt other than obviously it looked like he had a cut. I believe that if the Montreal medical personnel felt that it was something real serious, they would have probably taken him off and brought him inside. I can only state the facts and state what I was watching. What I was watching was a guy that just kept on talking so he didn’t seem like he was hurt.”
This tweet surfaced following Vigneault’s press conference, and it appears Gallagher said the same thing about Derek Stepan in 2014:
Vigneault used Gallagher’s words at the press conference today, and it really sets the tone for Game 6. This might be a bloodbath folks. Win and the Flyers play the New York Islanders, lose and the Habs force a Game 7. If this doesn’t pump up the Flyers, really I don’t know what will. The Flyers haven’t played their best game this series, but have received stellar Goaltending from Carter Hart, so now is the best time to play a perfect game. Vigneault really is something special.
