Morgan Rielly Addresses Cross Checking Incident With The Media Following Suspension Appeal
The Toronto Maple Leafs have delt with a lot of adversity this season. One such instance came recently when Morgan Rielly was suspended five games for cross checking Ridly Greig in the face. Now the veteran defenseman has addressed the incident with the media.
Rielly Addresses Cross Checking Incident With Media
The 29-year-old veteran talked about the incident in his latest media availability. Leafs reporter David Alter did a full piece on the press conference. Rielly claims that the play was retaliatory in nature, but that he did not intend to 'execute it the way it was.' It seems as though he means he did not intend to cross check him in the face, but simply hurt him in some other way.
"I just wanted to address something and it obviously got away from me. It was not intended to be executed the way that it was. I was just honest about how the play went down and what I was thinking and what I was trying to do."
Must read on Daily Hockey Dose
Commissioner Gary Bettman obviously did not see it this way, hence the five-game suspension being upheld after his appeal. Bettman cited the fact that Rielly could have responded in a different way in his reasoning for the decision.
Hockey Community Collectively Comments On Rielly Suspension
This incident has generated a lot of buzz from around the hockey world with many analysts, coaches, and players commenting on the ordeal. One player who has been vocal about the incident is Rielly's teammate and Leafs captain John Tavares.
«We loved his response that he showed, sticking up for the group, the way we compete & stand our ground, play for the logo on our chest. He represents that more than anyone. »
Flyers head coach John Tortorella was also asked about the incident. His response dove more into a broader conversation about the culture of the sport, especially regarding how today's players have a greater sense of self-importance.
| POLL | ||
21 FEVRIER | 709 ANSWERS Morgan Rielly Addresses Cross Checking Incident With The Media Following Suspension Appeal Do you think Rielly intentionally cross checked Grieg in the head? | ||
| Yes | 282 | 39.8 % |
| No | 358 | 50.5 % |
| Hard to say | 69 | 9.7 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
MUST READ
