Connor-icles: Otters coach claims McDavid shot exploded off crossbar in practice

When the legend becomes fact, post the legend. Connor McDavid might not be able to shatter the all-time OHL single-season scoring record — seasons are shorter and video analysis has come a long way since Bobby Smith put up 192 points 36 years ago — but he allegedly shattered a puck during an Erie Otters practice on Tuesday.

Or at least that's what Otters assistant coach Jay McKee, whose Twitter account tends toward the irreverent, would have the Internet believe. Following the Otters' practice, McKee tweeted, an image of what appears to be a hockey puck that has been broken into eight pieces with the caption, "First time @VinceLaise & I have ever seen this before. Mid practice, McDavid shot off the crossbar, puck exploded..."

Laise is another Otters assistant coach. Well, it is the week of Halloween, perfect time for seemingly unexplainable phenomena.

There are recorded instances of pucks breaking in two during games. But eight pieces? It's tempting to say, "YouTube or it didn't happen." The immutable laws of physics might refute the entire story, although there's no refuting that NHL teams are willing to go to pieces to get a chance at landing McDavid in the NHL draft lottery. And yes, his 34 points through 12 games put him ahead of Sidney Crosby's pace 10 seasons ago with the Rimouski Oceanic, in a Quebec League that wasn't nearly as deep as thee current OHL.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.