Mason Geertsen saw his opportunity here and took it.
In the third period of Saturday’s game between the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings, Geertsen and Tyler Bertuzzi got involved with one another after the whistle. As the pair were being broken up by the officials, Geertsen skated away and seemingly told Bertuzzi to “go get vaccinated” at least twice.
Obviously, this chirp is in reference to Bertuzzi’s lack of vaccination status as the NHL’s lone unvaccinated player currently playing. Bertuzzi also spent time on the NHL’s COVID protocol list in early December, missing five games, the final three of which the Red Wings lost by a combined score of 18-7.
Here’s how the moment between the two went down on the ice.
“Go get vaccinated, go get vaccinated.” – Mason Geertsen’s chirps to Tyler Bertuzzi tonight 💀 pic.twitter.com/IuHeo2THPy
— Josh (@joshlangerr) December 19, 2021
Given the mass of postponements and shut downs across the NHL — and the sports world overall — it’s no surprise Bertuzzi’s vaccination status is being used as a chirp against him. Not only that, Bertuzzi has doubled down on staying unvaccinated after coming back from COVID protocol, stating that “obviously it sucks missing games, but it is what it is.”
In the games Bertuzzi has played, he’s been an incredibly effective player, posting 21 points (12 goals) in 23 games played. Bertuzzi even got the last laugh in Saturday’s game, posting two goals en route to the team’s 5-2 win over the Devils.
Still, you have to expect other NHLers won’t hold back on chirping Bertuzzi in much the same matter as Geertsen did, if they haven’t done so already.
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