Blues’ Jordan Binnington says he threw a water bottle at Avs’ Nazem Kadri
Anthony Scultore
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Jordan Binnington is a fiery net-minder that doesn’t shy away from altercations. Earlier this season, he got into it with Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks and then was about to fight rival goalie Devan Dubynk for getting involved.
During these playoffs, he was knocked out in Game 3 on a controversial collision involving Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri. On the play, Kadri and Blues defenseman Calle Rosen crashed into the net, bowling over Binnington.
After the game, Kadri was doing a postgame interview and had a water bottle thrown at him. Kadri claimed live on-air that it was Binnington and it was confirmed by multiple reports.
Binnington on why he tossed the bottle
The St. Louis Blues conducted their breakup day interviews and Binnington explained why he tossed the bottle.
“I went to get my knee checked out mid-game. I was coming back to the rink, and the game just ended. I couldn’t find a recycling bin on my way down the hallway,” he said. “Right before I walked into the locker room, I see [Kadri] kind of doing an interview there, smiling, laughing and I’m there in a knee brace limping down the hallway. I just felt like it was a God-given opportunity.”
The 28 year-old goalie was playing really well before the injury and gave the Blues the best chance to knock out the Avs. They eventually fell to Colorado in 6 games.
“I could just stay silent and go in the room or I could say something and just have him look me in the eye and understand what’s going on, something to think about,” he continued. “I threw an empty water bottle, it landed like two feet from him.”
Binnington was 18-14-4 this season with a 3.13 GAA and a .901 SV%. In postseason action, he was playing at familiar elite levels with a 1.72 GAA and a .949 SV%, He was 4-1 before the injury.