Barclay Goodrow: Ritchie's hit on Gourde was 'pretty dirty'

Barclay Goodrow is speaking out against a late hit on his teammate. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Bolts' Barclay Goodrow: Nick Ritchie's hit on Yanni Gourde was 'pretty dirty'

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 8/30/20

Boston Bruins forward Nick Ritchie was heavily criticized for his hit on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Yanni Gourde during Game 4 of their Stanley Cup Playoff matchup on Saturday.

That criticism included Lightning players revealing their true thoughts on the hit, and Barclay Goodrow didn't hold back when discussing it on Sunday.

Barclay Goodrow on Nick Ritchie's hit against Yanni Gourde in Game 4: "I thought it was a pretty dirty hit. It was late. It was from behind. The puck had left his stick so long ago that most guys on the ice didn't see the hit because they were following the puck up the ice."
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) August 30, 2020

Goodrow, who plays alongside Gourde and Blake Coleman, dropped the gloves with Ritchie in the third period to defend his teammate and let him know Ritchie's hit was unacceptable.

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

Ritchie was assessed a five-minute major penalty for boarding on the play, and Gourde later returned to the ice for the third period.

The NHL Department of Player Safety has not yet revealed if Ritchie will receive a hearing for the hit, though many believe he'll be suspended at least one game.

Boston and Tampa Bay meet in a do-or-die Game 5 on Monday as the Bruins are down 3-1 in the series.

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