Zdeno Chara absolutely destroys Cedric Paquette with punch (Video)

Cedric Paquette of the Tampa Bay Lightning is one of those players practiced in the fine art of agitation. He decided to apply these particular skills to Boston Bruins man mountain Zdeno Chara after Chara was whistled for boarding Matt Carle on Tuesday night, giving Chara a glove to the face.

This is what happened next:

Another look:

That punch sent Paquette to the dressing room. Chara was given that boarding minor, plus four minutes for roughing.

Paquette was also given two minutes, although the score sheet indicated roughing rather than abject stupidity and/or harboring a death wish.

As Brad Marchand said after the game, via Amalie Benjamin:

"I don't know what that kid was thinking. You don't mess with Zee. He must have forgot we play them three more times. Hopefully he'll be sent down by then for his sake."

Will Chara get anything from the NHL for this punch? Can’t imagine he will, given Paquette’s role in it.

Was it a measured response? No, but that doesn’t mean it requires supplemental discipline. Hell, Chara usually holds back in these situations.

And with that, we’ll end with Superman’s speech to Darkseid from Justice League Unlimited, which has never been more appropriate: