ST. LOUIS – In the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs in St. Louis, Sharks defenseman Justin Braun got to experience first hand what it’s like to go up against Roman Polak, then with the Blues.
Late in Game 2 of an eventual five-game first round series win by St. Louis, things started to get a little chippy. Eventually, in a scrum in the corner late in regulation, Polak and Braun separated into a one-on-one tussle with Braun on the business end of several haymaker right hands from Polak.
While that type of scenario is less frequent than it was even four years ago, Polak’s toughness is undoubtedly a vital part of his game.