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Greg Wishynski
multiple authors
boston bruins guard Charlie McEvoy Was subbed out late in his Game 6 elimination loss till buffalo saber To strike forward violently zach benson Who could receive supplemental discipline from the NHL.
With 1:31 left in the game and the Sabers leading 4–1, Boston’s net was empty for an extra skater. As McAvoy stepped back for the icing call, Benson tripped him with his left foot, causing McAvoy to hit the end board. McAvoy got up, skated past his teammates and delivered a two-handed strike to the torso of Benson.
McAvoy was given a five-minute major for slashing, which is an automatic game misconduct. Benson was whistled for a minor fine for tripping.
Coach Lindy Ruff said, “You don’t want to see the last play of the game. You don’t want to see a guy attack somebody else like that.”
McAvoy admitted after the game that he thought Benson had hit him hard.
The NHL Player Safety Department reviews each game which may result in supplemental discipline. Asked if he expected to hear from the league, McAvoy said: “I won’t play another game until September, so I can’t imagine it really matters much.”
It was a nightmare series for McAvoy, who was minus-6 in six games with two assists. He was knocked down by a puck and was unable to stop Buffalo’s forward pass. josh don Benson had a commanding 3-1 lead in the third period in Game 6.
McAvoy said, “You work hard for a long time to get to the playoffs. It’s an opportunity every time, and we’re on the wrong side of it. So it hurts right now.”
Ruff praised McAvoy as a competitor after the game.
“I’m just going to say [it was] Raw emotion. Charlie is a very good player. Cares about winning. Anyone would want Charlie on their team. However, perhaps it went a little too far,” he said.
Sabers will face the winner of the series montreal canadiens And tampa bay lightningWho will play Game 7 in Tampa on Sunday.
