Midway through the first period of Saturday's game against the Habs, Cedric Pare attempted to finish a hit on Habs forward Patrik Laine as he crossed the blueline. Unfortunately, Laine attempted to sidestep the hit which led to Pare trying to clip him and the two went knee-on-knee instead. Laine left the game and did not return, and was seen on crutches in a knee brace following the game.
Habs' defenceman Arber Xhekaj took exception and rag-dolled Pare to the ice before landing several shots to the back of his head. For his actions, Xhekaj was given a misconduct and 27 penalty minutes on the play as well as a fine for unsportsmanlike conduct which was announced earlier Sunday.
Habs fans have been irate over the fact Pare didn't receive any penalty on the play and are even more upset that Sunday came and went without Player Safety issuing a suspension or a fine to Pare. The AHLer commented on the hit after the game and noted it wasn't intentional. It was a hockey play gone wrong in that Laine attempted to sidestep a hit and Pare reacted to the attempt and may have stuck his knee out as to not be caught flat-footed.
Regardless of the ruling from Player Safety, that was likely Pare's last game in a Leafs uniform this season as he was not on the radar to challenge for a roster spot and will likely be sent down to the Toronto Marlies.
POLL | ||
29 SEPTEMBRE | 2008 ANSWERS Player Safety Appears to Reach Decision on Maple Leafs' Cedric Pare Should Pare have been suspended ? | ||
Yes | 303 | 15.1 % |
No | 1574 | 78.4 % |
Doesn't matter, he wouldn't serve it anytime soon | 131 | 6.5 % |
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