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Raymond of the Red Wings ready to face the rules of Gudas prison

Posted on by angelo
Raymond of the Red Wings ready to face the rules of Gudas prison

Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond is no stranger to the antics of Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. Over the years, the Detroit winger and Ducks defenseman often clashed when Gudas was with the Florida Panthers, the Red Wings’ Atlantic Division rivals.

“He plays very hard, very hard,” Raymond told Swedish website Expressen.se. “Physically.”

The two fighters will face off again on Saturday in the semifinals of the IIHF World Championship, as Raymond’s undefeated Swedish club takes on Gudas and host nation Czechia.

Raymond acknowledges that Gudas virtually brings a double-edged sword to the ice for his team. His unyielding physical punishments keep his opponents on their toes, while certainly giving his own team an advantage.

“There are mixed feelings,” admitted Raymond. “But he’s a good player who helps his team.”

Raymond saw what Gudas did against the United States

As the Czech Republic blanked the United States 1-0 in the quarterfinals, Guas fought a personal battle with U.S. captain Brady Tkachuk. Afterwards, Tkachuk recognized Gudas’ competitiveness, tipping his hat to his Czech opponent.

“We are both players who play hard in front of goal,” Tkachuk told Expressen. “Two players who want a real fight. Gudas should get all the credit because he did well.

Gudas was smiling when Czech media told him about Tkachuk’s comments.

“Brady is a good guy, but on the ice you don’t have any friends,” Gudas said. “He already threatened to fight us this winter.”

Those who know Gudas best expect the 33-year-old defender to be just as threatening against Sweden’s top players.

“He doesn’t care if he rips your head off or your legs off,” Colorado Avalanche Czech goaltender Pavel Francouz told Czech website isport.blsk.cz. “Gudas respects the prison rules.”