...and nailed a guy (nearly) over the boards a few seconds earlier on the same shift.
As does nearly every junior player... especially those barely 18.
Yeah, that's what I've been impressed with. Typically most guys who have hitting as a big part of their game are either out looking for the opportunity (running around) or waiting for the opportunity. Jake simply has it as part of his game. If he and another guy are going to the boards for the puck, the other guy often ends up on his butt. He doesn't go out of his way to make hits, and he never seems off-balance nor throws himself off-balance nor takes himself out of the play. Pretty important too when considering the propensity for injury when playing physical. He's not even the biggest guy, but must be quite strong, especially for his age.
Plays tough but seems clean and disciplined at it, doesn't hit to injure, and doesn't seem to let emotions lead to retaliation -- at least not in the games I've seen. Just like on that one play where he got checked from behind. He didn't play it up worse than it was, didn't squawk at the ref, just picked himself off the ice and got right back at it with a scoring chance and another clean hit. Sweet stuff.