Cedric Pare expresses no regret in a shocking postgame interview after injuring Patrik Laine
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Toronto Maple Leafs forward Cédric Paré has spoken out after that unfortunate collision with Montreal Canadiens Patrik Laine. He emphasized that the hit wasn't intentional and that he genuinely hopes Laine is okay.
Saturday's preseason also saw Habs defenseman David Reinbacher was crushed into the boards by Leafs' Marshall Rifai. Reinbacher went down awkwardly, twisting his leg, and had to be helped off the ice.
But it didn't stop there. A few minutes later, Laine took a brutal knee-on-knee hit from Paré while on a power play. Laine collapsed and couldn't put weight on his left leg as he was helped to the locker room. To make matters worse, Paré wasn't penalized for the collision, adding even more frustration for Habs fans.
As you'd expect, Montreal's Arber Xhekaj wasn't having any of it. He went straight after Paré, laying a beating on him, and ended up with a handful of penalties, including a game misconduct.
Later, in the second period, Juraj Slafkovsky fought Rifai, avenging the hit on Reinbacher.
Both Reinbacher and Laine didn't return to the game, and things are looking rough for Montreal, especially since they were banking on Laine, who had been traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets just this August, to boost their offense. Here's hoping Laine's injury isn't too serious and that we see him back on the ice soon.
It's a reminder that preseason games can get just as intense as the regular season, especially when rivalries are in play.
