Radko Gudas flips opponent with picture perfect hip check (Video)

It’s not often that you get to see such a beautiful hip check like the one Radko Gudas had today against Finland.

Radko Gudas is a well-known NHL defenseman that isn’t afraid to lay a hard hit. There have been multiple occasions where his hits were called into question. His hip check today against Finland in the IIHF World Championship is not one of those hits.

Gudas is skating backward during the play, staying in front of Mikko Rantanen as he enters the offensive zone for Finland with the puck on this stick. Just as Rantanen looks to wind up for a quick shot, Gudas picks the puck and stick away from Rantanen. Rantanen’s momentum carries him forward, and that’s when Gudas lowers his shoulder and sends Rantanen flying.

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For one, that hip check is a thing of beauty for all to behold. Secondly, the entire play was a great show of defensive discipline, good stick work, and great form by Gudas. It would be hard to find anything during that sequence of play that Gudas does wrong.

Team Czech Republic won their first game against Belarus 6-1 on Saturday, and Gudas bagged himself an assist. Gudas has also gotten himself a goal today against Finland in a tightly contested game. Gudas had six goals and 17 assists in 67 games for the Philadelphia Flyers this season.

Gudas’ reputation for questionable hits is well documented, as he received a six-game suspension for a hit on the Boston Bruins Austin Czarnik back in October. This wasn’t the first time Gudas has received criticism or disciplinary action for his hits either. Gudas was also ejected from an NHL preseason game against the New York Rangers for a dangerous hit on Jimmy Vesey, but was able to avoid suspension for the questionable hit.