Black Cincinnati Cyclones player uses racist incident to empower others

CINCINNATI, OH — Scars on the glass make the focus less clear.

“Basically you can do whatever you want out here, you know? Take your anger out a little bit,” said Cincinnati Cyclones defenseman Jalen Smereck.

Hits are hard. Pucks are flying. Skaters are fast.

“You get out here and you forget about everything,” Smereck said.

But when reminded, it’s clear. The game slows down.

“My life changed,” Smereck said.

Last year, Smereck, who is a Black man, was playing professional hockey in Ukraine. In one game . . .