It was like reading an excerpt of “Ripley’s believe it or not” upon hearing (or seeing) Patrik Laine go down after a dirty hit from Cédric Paré wasn’t it?
In fact having both Laine and Reinbacher injured mere minutes apart in a meaningless exhibition game was stunning to not only Habs fans (but we’re sure) to the brass of the CH as well eh. Paré who said the usual NHL player rebuttal of “It wasn’t my intention” should try to smell what he is trying to shovel here, because a video replay doesn’t lie when it SHOWS Paré clearing extending his left leg and his obvious intention!
There was no penalty on the play, but Arber Xhekaj who went after Paré received 4 (count ’em) penalties of 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes and a game wasn’t so lucky. In fact if you were up early enough today you would have found out that Xhekaj was fined $3,385 by the NHL for unsportsmanlike conduct? We received a few texts last night wondering what would have happened if the same dirty stuff had been leveled upon Leafs super choker Austin Mathews who didn’t play last night.
Kent Hughes, who probably crossed his fingers for a good season from his prized off-season acquisition, may have to wield some more magic if Laine is out for the season huh.
Everyone is entitled to a bad season: Former Canadiens captain and GM Bob Gainey once said that “every player is entitled to a bad season and a bad season doesn’t mean a bad player.” So we’re hoping that last year’s whipping boy Josh Anderson can bounce back. Anderson, who looked real lost last season (and we’re being polite here) isn’t expected to score 20 or 25 goals on a third line may have some added benefit being paired up with Joshua Roy who is clearly expected to make this year’s roster.
