Buffalo Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 230 pounds.
He's a physical blueliner who isn't afraid to throw his weight around. On the
ice, he'll crush opponents into the boards, and isn't afraid to drop his gloves
 to defend himself and his teammates. This past weekend, on Twitter, he crushed
 a troll.Feeding Frenzy

It all started when Sabres' defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen posted some of his
summer training on social media. The minute-hogging blueliner looks to be
pushing himself and his body to new levels of fitness, strength and
conditioning. He's in pure beast mode, flipping tires, whipping chains and
sweating up a storm while building muscle and pushing his cardio to new
heights.

Meanwhile, Bogosian, like many hockey players, loves to fish during the summer.
 He's an avid outdoorsman. Over the past few weeks, he's posted numerous shots
of himself fishing with friends.

Family Bass day! @samsonreinhart @pipscotter @bbogosianA post shared by  Zach
Bogosian (@zbogosian47) on Jun 17, 2018 at 12:18pm PDT

One trolling fan was quick to call out Bogosian's dedication to his profession.
 He must've figured Bogo is out frolicking on the water, neglecting his
profession on the ice. He went so far as chirping "Lots of fish pics. I project
 a 26-game season."Bogosian's Pushback

Bogosian, a fisherman, couldn't resist taking the bait and responding with a
tweet of his own. He answered back, offering the fan Sabres season tickets this
 season if, and only if, he can complete the defenseman's summer workout
without puking all over himself. It was a fiery response from the professional
athlete who was clearly ticked off and he threw down the gauntlet.

I️ invite you to come workout with me when im back in Buffalo. If you don't
throw up I'll buy you season tickets for the year. https://t.co/cHx4U0Jk5R

- Zach Bogosian (@BogosianZach) July 28, 2018

Fan's Frustration Boils Over

This isn't the fan's first jab at Bogosian. On July 3, he tweeted, "I';ve got
to ask, where are the training pics like i see from other NHL professionals?
It's time to get deadly serious about hockey here...be part of the answer or
turn in your jersey."

Bogosian replied "I can answer that for you. I just don't care to hand my phone
 to someone to video me working out in the gym. I don't need social media to
solidify my own hard work. Have a great 4th!"

Obviously, the fan doesn't expect to see video of his team working out during
the summer months. But his frustration and anger was nevertheless real. Bogo
hasn't exactly been a productive player. He later cited Bogo's never-ending
injuries and inability to stay healthy for the majority of his career. His "$6
million is killing my team," he wrote.Bogosian has had trouble staying healthy.
 (Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports)

Though he may not have made his point tactfully, the Sabres fan does have a
legitimate beef. In four seasons with the Sabres, Bogosian has played only 159
games. He's averaging just 39.75 games per season. Last season, Bogosian played
 in just 18 games. After suffering a lower-body injury on Jan. 11, he was
placed on long-term injured reserve, missing the final 38 games of the season.

Bogosian's production with the Sabres has been a forgetful nine goals and 34
assists, while racking up minus-44 rating. The defenseman from Massena, NY, has
 only played more than 70 games twice in his 10-year career and has been a plus
 player just three times. Not exactly the numbers one expects from a No. 3
overall pick.

Still, one has to wonder why the "fan" is taking shots at his own team.
Injuries happen in hockey. Unfortunately, Bogosian has been snakebit with too
many. Jumping on his case for his misfortunes is silly if not cruel.Challenge
Accepted?

The tweeter has yet to accept or decline Bogosian's invitation. The tweeter
jokingly did say he may "fast for five days beforehand."

Some wiseguy replies on Twitter suggest working out successfully with Bogosian
and earning 41 tickets to watch the Sabres is more punishment than actually
throwing up. The team has finished in last place three of the last five years
and missed the playoffs in seven straight seasons.Primed for Bounceback Season

Bogosian has two more seasons remaining on his contract, which pays him $5.14
million annually. Though he doesn't feel compelled to post his workout videos,
there's no doubt he's keeping in shape during the offseason. His work ethic is
second-to-none. His passion for the game is unquestionable and the class he';s
shown in confronting the individual head-on is exemplary.

The post Bogosian's Tweet Launches Challenge appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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