Be careful what you ask for.
Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Reaves learned that the hard way.
Reaves, whom the Wild acquired from the Rangers earlier this season for a 2025 fifth-round pick, was caught on the broadcast during Minnesota’s 3-1 win over the Blackhawks Saturday night asking for stronger smelling salts.
Many athletes often use smelling salts — which are just ammonia — to wake them up and keep them alert.
He probably should have stuck with the weaker one.
After he got the stronger smelling salts, Reaves proceeded to put it under his nose and gradually brought it closer as he smelled.
As it got close enough, Reaves jumped back in surprise and made a face of revulsion after getting a strong whiff.
Reaves appeared to spit as he brought his head into his hands trying to recover from the smell.
“Honestly I almost puked twice,” Reaves said after the game, per The Athletic. “That was the strongest one I think I’ve ever had. I’m going to be taking it a little easier next time. I think it was a fresh box. That was nuts. I’ve got a headache from it still. No fun.”
Prior to the second smelling salt, Reaves smelled a weaker smelling salt without issue, prompting his desire for something stronger.
Reaves was back on the bench after scoring his fifth goal with the Wild, a backhander in the first period to give the team a 1-0 lead.
It was Reaves’ fourth goal in his past seven games, and after going pointless through his first 12 games of the year with the Rangers, he now has 14 points in 53 games played with Minnesota.
He’s remained true to his identity as well, racking up 24 penalties on the year.
Reaves spent a little over one season with the Rangers, scoring five goals and recording eight assists while helping the Rangers to an Eastern Conference Final berth, where they were eliminated in six games.
Reaves is in a contract year, and will be an unrestricted free agent after this year after his one-year, $1.75 million deal expires.
