Smelling salts are a common thing in the NHL. Many players like to take a few sniffs before a game starts to shock themselves to attention and to ensure they are as alert as possible. Aleksander Barkov has taken things to a whole new level, though.
"Barbaric"
While on the Quick Shift Podcast, former NHL agitator Sean Avery was watching footage of Barkov and his smelling salts routine, when Barkov brought the salts to his eyes, waving it around to make sure the strong odor reached his pupils.
"Aleksander Barkov has taken the smelling salts game to a whole new level. He hit his eyes!," said Avery. "That is the most barbaric thing I've ever seen from an athlete."
It was pointed out that this was not an accident.
"No, no," said Avery. He did both eyes."
"Aleksander Barkov right now has just cemented himself as an absolute legend. All these little games, Trix are for kids, mustard packs. You want to be a man? You hit the smelling salts in your eyeballs!"
What's the Point?
I'm really not sure if this ritual does anything other than probably make your eyes water. That said, it seems to be working for Barkov and I doubt he's going to change it now.
Would you put smelling salts up to your eyes?
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