Gerard Gallant on Jeff Carter hit to Igor Shesterkin: 'No reason for it'

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The Rangers already had a game-two victory in hand when Pittsburgh’s Jeff Carter barreled into Igor Shesterkin in the trapezoid behind New York’s net, sending Shesterkin airborne and crashing to the ice.

Shesterkin lay still for several moments while his teammates rushed over to punish Carter and protect their star goalie, but the capacity crowd at Madison Square Garden let out a collective sigh of relief, and later chanted Shesterkin’s name when he got to his feet, stretched out, and got back in position to continue the game.

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Still, while Shesterkin was OK and the Rangers tied the series, head coach Gerard Gallant didn’t like the play by Carter.

“I wasn't too happy, obviously,” Gallant said. “In a game like that, no reason for it. I was disappointed with them going after him like that.”

On the play, Shesterkin nearly collided with his own teammate behind the net, but as he made his way back to his crease, Carter was speeding by to try and disrupt the handoff behind the net, and appeared to lean into a collision with Shesterkin. As Shesterkin fell to the ice, Carter stopped and threw his hands up in disbelief, suggesting there was no intent. But the Rangers, and Gallant, took exception.

“Carter is a good, honest player,” Gallant said. “But it just didn’t look good to me.”

Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett | Getty Images