Bennett fully embracing being public enemy number one in Toronto; doesn't show remorse for hurting Knies
Prior to the start of this Leafs/Panthers series, I don't think many in Leafs Nation were giving Florida's Sam Bennett even a single extra thought. Now, through 2 games, not only is Bennett on the radar of just about every last Leafs fan - he's now public enemy number one.
During Thursday's Game 2, Bennett was involved in an incident with Leafs rookie Matthew Knies in the first period, where he spun off a hit from the 20-year-old, grabbed him up high around the neck and slammed him into the glass before dragging him down and slamming him to the ice in a violent manner. This, in combination with an elbow to the head from Matthew Tkachuk earlier in the period, left Knies worse for the wear. He would finish the period, but would not return to the game following the 1st intermission.
Nothing about Sam Bennett's exchange with Knies was a hockey play. The puck had already passed the two forwards by and while Knies' objective was simply finishing a hit on the forecheck, Bennett's objective seemed to be to injure the rookie forward.
During the game, Bennett was also involved in another altercation with a separate Leaf, cross-checking Michael Bunting in the head and then delivering another stiff cross-check to Bunting's back as he lay on the ice. Bennett did not receive a penalty nor any supplemental discipline for his mauling of Knies, but he did receive supplemental discipline for his cross-check on Bunting in the form of a $5K fine - hardly a deterrent for future behaviour.
The result of the Knies play has the rookie likely sidelined for the remainder of the series, which is extremely unfortunate given how well he has played for the Leafs since signing his ELC in early April. As for Bennett, he's now the most hated player by the Leafs' passionate fanbase.
How does Bennett feel about all of this? Well, he was asked by TSN's Pierre LeBrun how he feels about being labelled a villain in the Leafs/Panthers series. His response was pretty telling.
Bennett also told LeBrun on Thursday following Game 2 that he was remorseful for taking a cross-checking penalty on Bunting, but not because he hurt Bunting. He regretted the play because it put his team on the penalty kill. He did not feel any remorse for his dust-up with Knies, which left the 20-year-old winger with a concussion.
Listen - if you want to be an agitator, I'm all for it. Hockey is fun when guys are running around chirping one another and facewashing each other in the post-whistle scrums. However, intentionally injuring players and then showing no remorse is not being an agitator, it's being a predator. Shameful, disgraceful stuff by Bennett here.
