The 2020-21 season is in the books and on Wednesday, Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin spoke to the media and he had a message for Jamie Benn and any player who thinks it is a good idea to cross-check a player in the back of the neck.
“Got crosschecked in the back of the neck,” Larkin said about Benn, who cross-checked him in the back of the neck on April 20. “I was upset when it happened. Was pretty hurt. I don’t really ever see a time to crosscheck a guy when he’s down.”
Red Wings F Dylan Larkin says he'll be ready for start of season. "Got crosschecked in the back of the neck" by Jamie Benn April 20. "I was upset when it happened. Was pretty hurt. I don't really ever see a time to crosscheck a guy when he's down."
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) May 19, 2021
Larkin added that he was forced to spend a couple of nights in the hospital following the cross-check.
Dylan Larkin says he spent couple nights in hospital after being crosschecked in neck by Jamie Benn.
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) May 19, 2021
Larkin also told reporters that today is his first day not in a neck brace and that he believes he is lucky that he did not have to have surgery.
Red Wings C Dylan Larkin says today is his first day not in neck brace. "I believe I got pretty lucky and I don't have to have surgery." Was crosschecked in neck by Jamie Benn April 20, ended season.
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) May 19, 2021
I question why the NHL doesn’t deal with this type of play that can seriously injure a player. Big fine and min 5 game suspension for these the of actions.