“He was vulnerable”: Craig Berube refuses to defend his player Matthew Knies

Zach Whitecloud’s heavy check on Matthew Knies continues to divide observers, but Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has sided… against his player.

In his opinion, relayed Thursday by the TSN network, Knies should have protected himself by leaving the territory. Battling with Vegas Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar, he never saw defenseman Zach Whitecloud coming.

• Also read: No Matthews, no problem for the Maple Leafs

• Also read: WATCH: Whitecloud knocks out Knies

• Also read: ‘He’s a clean player’: Ryan Reaves supported by his coach

When we resume, we see that the young Leafs player was hit rather high and that his assailant’s skates seem to have left the ice following the blow. The head was not the main point of contact, officials ruled, and they did not penalize Whitecloud.

“It’s a hockey check. It’s been like this forever. It’s a clean contact. It’s hard, though. He’s in a bit of a vulnerable position. He has a guy on his back and it’s difficult. It’s hockey. It’s part of the game,” Berube said at a press briefing.

Knies had to leave the game with an upper body injury. The head coach said he is still under evaluation, but feels comfortable.

Last week, Berube defended his forward Ryan Reaves by arguing that he was “a clean player.” The veteran was suspended five games for a dangerous hit on Edmonton Oilers guard Darnell Nurse.

Furthermore, the Leafs pilot also said that the health of captain Auston Matthews was progressing and that he could start skating again this weekend.

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