Leafs fans want suspension for questionable hit on Knies
The Toronto Maple Leafs are dropping like flies, with new injuries popping up almost daily.
Down six forwards heading into Wednesday night’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Leafs still managed to pull off their third straight win.
But Toronto’s injury crisis may have gone from bad to worse as midway through the second period, Matthew Knies took a questionable hit from Vegas blueliner Zach Whitecloud.
Whitecloud’s shoulder collided with the 22-year-old’s head, keeping him out for the remainder of the game.
Whitecloud gave Knies a nice seat 🪑 pic.twitter.com/qAeN0LWGcO
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) November 21, 2024
The incident initially resulted in a major penalty, but after review, the officials overturned it, calling the hit clean. To make matters worse, Leafs defenceman Simon Benoit earned a double-minor for roughing while standing up for his teammate, putting Vegas on the power play.
“That’s a travesty. An absolute travesty,” Leafs’ radio commentator Joe Bowen declared after the officials reviewed the penalty.
Fans watching from home echoed the same frustrating sentiment, with many calling for Whitecloud to be suspended for targeting Knies’ head.
Some X users have called out the double standard, comparing the hit to one issued by Ryan Reaves over the weekend, which resulted in the player being suspended for five games.
So Reaves gets suspended for 5 games for his hit on Nurse but Whitecloud doesn’t get a penalty for his hit to the head on Knies? Make it make sense NHL. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/MAzzljZMKC
— Justin J. Merrlles (@J_Merrlles) November 21, 2024
LMAOOOOOO REAVES SUSPENDED 5 GAMES AND NOT EVEN A MAJOR PENALTY FOR A HIT AGAINST KNIES pic.twitter.com/7Lj6OPXeVW
— Leafs Papi (@LeafsPapi_) November 21, 2024
Others are accusing the NHL of being biased against Toronto.
Knies just got destroyed, in the head, by a player who jumped at him. And somehow Vegas ends up on the powerplay. Accuse leafs fans all you want, but the league is genuinely biased against us and you’ll never convince me otherwise. The @NHL is the biggest joke in sports history.
— Nolan Sanders🎗️ (@NolanS1010) November 21, 2024
One user provided a lengthy analysis detailing the positioning of Whitecloud’s shoulder.
“I’ve read the rule and I don’t see any way this could not be a penalty,” they wrote. “A missed call at real speed? Yeah, I can understand that… but this was not only reviewed – it was reviewed and the call on the ice was REVERSED.”
Look at where Whitecloud’s shoulder is when he enters the frame. It’s level with the boards. At its highest point, his feet leave the ice and his shoulder is above the heads of every player on the Leafs bench.
Look at Matthew Knies’ head snap back before the rest of his body.… https://t.co/PhJ9DmCzGf pic.twitter.com/QsFFRIsXEi
— McCluskey (@mcclxskey) November 21, 2024
Another user said fans at Scotiabank Arena were justified in starting a “Ref, you suck!” chant after the play.
Zach Whitecloud left his feet and made primary contact with Matthew Knies' head. There's no consistency with officiating across the league. I'm with the fans, the 'ref, you suck!' chants are more than warranted.
— Arun Srinivasan (@Arunthings) November 21, 2024
Even Leafs goalie Joseph Woll, who posted a shutout in the 3-0 victory, admitted to being “pissed.”
Woll’s response to seeing the injury to Knies. “I was pretty pissed after it…”#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/kLsCnbLnlx
— Richie (@LeafsTattoos) November 21, 2024
As for Knies’ condition, it remains unclear whether he will miss time.
“Yeah, he’s upper-body right now. We’ll see tomorrow. I think tomorrow I’ll tell more,” Leafs head coach Craig Berube said after the game. “My view of the hit, I mean, it’s a tough call. I’m not going to sit here and comment on the league. And, you know, they thought it was a clean hit, so it’s a clean hit. There’s nothing we can comment on. Really, there’s nothing to say.”
Now down seven forwards, the Leafs are back in action this Sunday as they take on the Utah Hockey Club at home.