MARCHESSAULT SORRY FOR ‘CHILDISH’ RESPONSE
Vegas forward lost his cool on Instagram
Frustration over losing to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night boiled over on social media for Vegas Golden Knights centre Jonathan Marchessault.
Following the 5-2 loss to the Canucks in Game 2 of their second-round best-of-seven series, Marchessault got into arguments on Instagram, with some posters accusing him of diving.
Some of the responses were expletive laced and have since been deleted. Marchessault addressed the issues prior to the Golden Knights’ media availability Wednesday.
“I just wanted to comment about the remarks that I did on my social media yesterday. I just wanted to apologize, sincerely,” Marchessault said. “I think it was childish, immature and not professional. I want to say I’m sorry and it won’t happen again. I’ve learned from it, and honestly, I’m here to help my team win games, so hopefully we can move on.”
The loss was just the second for the Golden Knights this post-season and it came after a dominating 5-0 victory in Game 1. Game 3 of the series is Thursday at Rogers Place.
“I was frustrated from the game, obviously, but also I get sensitive when people comment on family pictures and things like that,” Marchessault said. “It got the best of me, but it’s no excuse. I shouldn’t get involved in that, I sincerely apologize for that. I regret it and apologize, so nothing really else to say about it.”
This is the second time a social media issue has come up for the Golden Knights in the post-season.
Goaltender Marc-andre Fleury’s agent Allan Walsh posted a picture of his client with a sword through his back with Deboer engraved on it, in reference to Golden Knights head coach Peter Deboer. Fleury has been pretty much reduced to spectator in the post-season while Robin Lehner has been the starter.
“It doesn’t make my job difficult, and honestly, that’s all it is, is noise,” Deboer said. “I didn’t direct Marchy to make any type of statements; I think he addressed it for what it was and for me it’s over with. It’s a lot like that situation with Allan Walsh and Flower (Fleury). That stuff doesn’t enter our dressing room and what we’re doing in getting ready for the next game against Vancouver.”
REACTION TO WISCONSIN POLICE SHOOTING
Athletes throughout North America are speaking out against the shooting of Jacob Blake by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisc., on Sunday, with the Milwaukee Bucks going as far as boycotting their NBA playoff game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.
The other two NBA games scheduled for Wednesday were also postponed.
Some NHL players were asked their opinion of the situation Wednesday and what they can do with their platform to continue the fight against racial injustice. The NHL has embraced the Black Lives Matter movement since coming back from the pause.
“This is something we talk about; we’re also a part of this world and we’re devastated by this news, obviously,” said Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, who added he was heartbroken by the video. “It’s something that everybody has to handle their own way and everyone is responsible for using their voice and their platform for the way they see fits best.”
A video of the incident Sunday was released on social media showing Blake being shot multiple times in the back by a police officer while getting into the front seat of his SUV.
“I saw the video yesterday and it’s heartbreaking, really,” said Golden Knights forward Mark Stone. “It’s been an issue in the last couple of months especially. I’ve played with guys from tons of different races and they’re just teammates for me, I don’t look at them any other way.”
GOOD MENTAL PLACE
The Dallas Stars are a veteran-laden team who took a 2-0 series lead into Game 3 against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night.
Stars head coach Rick Bowness credits his veterans for keeping Dallas on the right track during the pause in the season due to concerns with COVID -19.
Dallas defeated the Calgary Flames in the first round of the playoffs, winning the series in six games.
“I give our players a lot of credit, because during the pause we were in contact with them constantly,” Bowness said. “The guys did everything they could to stay in shape and just as important the mental conditioning. I think we realized during the season we have a good thing going here, we have a good team and everyone wanted to take a run at the Cup with this group.”
Bowness has stressed mental health with his side throughout the post-season, trying to make the situation as tenable for his club as possible.