Zdeno Chara is a giant, terrifying human being, and you'd do well not to instigate him if you value your body's structural integrity.
Cedric Paquette forgot this rule or was too green to appreciate it in the first place. A 21-year-old center in his first meaningful season in the NHL, Paquette learned an important lesson Tuesday night about the dangers of poking the bear.
Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski spotted video of Paquette's brief run-in with the Boston Bruins defenseman/rock golem. The incident occurred early in the third period of Boston's 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, shortly after Chara was booked for boarding Matt Carle.
Ostensibly looking to stand up for his teammate, Paquette confronted the Bruins defenseman near the Lightning goal. A shoving match ensued, which quickly escalated into a fight.
Paquette muffed a punch on Chara's left ear, and Chara retaliated with swift and decisive force, leveling the 6'1" center with a devastating right hook to the throat and/or jaw.
Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Dan Carson