There are no friends in the NHL playoffs and if you need any proof of that then just look at former teammates Alex Pietreangelo and David Backes.
Just three years ago, Backes was Pietrangelo’s captain in St. Louis during a run to the Western Conference Final. Next week, Pietrangelo will serve as the Blues’ captain in the Stanley Cup Final against Backes, who’s served as a depth player for the Boston Bruins throughout the playoffs. Pietrangelo respects the whole unwritten ‘no friend’ code but still felt it was necessary to reach out to his buddy ahead of the action.
Unfortunately for him, Backes isn’t on the same page.
Ouch!
Okay, so let’s discuss a couple of possibilities. What if Backes just didn’t get the message? Does he have an iPhone where you can see whether the message has been read or not? Or did he go stonecold Dave Backes and leave Pietrangelo on read? Because that would make the whole situation a little worse…
In a few weeks’ time we’re sure the forward and defenceman will get back on talking terms but for now, it’s pretty clear that Backes isn’t letting anything break his focus. At 35 and already finding himself in and out of the lineup, this could be his last real shot at winning a Cup.
(H/T Jeremy Rutherford)
