from Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic,

“Holy shit,” said David Pastrnak.

Pastrnak, Jake DeBrusk, and video coach J.P. Buckley had been standing atop one of the watchtowers of the Great Wall’s Mutianyu section, accessible only because of boosts from Brandon Carlo and Kevan Miller. Pastrnak’s utterance came when he turned around from his perch, identified how high he was above a perilous drop, and felt the rush of danger.

This, mind you, coming from a 22-year-old adrenaline junkie whose regular work hazards include being chased by 220-pound monsters with sticks, elbows, and other assorted appendages meant to break bones.

A Czech Republic citizen working for a United States employer preparing to play a Canadian opponent in China captured Sunday’s moment in a very American way. Of all the adjectives visitors like the Bruins and Flames could use to describe the Great Wall, Pastrnak’s selection was as accurate as any.

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