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Leafs forward Knies shoulders blame for Whitecloud hit

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Nov 29 2024, 10:44 pm
Leafs forward Knies shoulders blame for Whitecloud hit
John E. Sokolowski/USA TODAY Sports

Many fans were upset, but Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies doesn’t seem to have any issues with the hit he took from Zach Whitecloud just over a week ago.

Knies, who was placed on injured reserve shortly after the hit with an upper-body injury, spoke with media this afternoon.

As first reported by TSN’s Mark Masters, while Knies admitted frustration over the fact that he ended up injured, he seems to believe that he put himself in a vulnerable position.

“I put myself in a tough scenario. I was just trying to get the puck in & you gotta keep your head up,” Knies said. “I’m kind of upset that it led me to getting hurt, but it happens in hockey… He apologized to me. I don’t think he’s intending to hurt me.”

The hit was initially deemed a five-minute major, but after a brief discussion between the on-ice officials, it wound up going unpenalized.

As upsetting of a situation as it was for Leafs fans, there is good news, as Knies is said to be close to returning. The 22-year-old was on the ice with his teammates today for practice, skating on the top line while also getting reps on the first power-play unit.

Injury aside, it’s been a solid second NHL season for Knies, who, after a 15-goal rookie campaign, is already up to eight through just 20 games. The Leafs could certainly use him back, as they have a multitude of injuries right now to some key players, including Max Domi, Max Pacioretty, David Kampf, and Calle Jarnkrok.

They’ve also been without Auston Matthews since November 3, but the three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner will be back in the lineup tomorrow versus the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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