Flyers coach describes hit that injured Gallagher as ‘just a hockey play’
Not surprisingly, Philadelphia Flyers coach Alain Vigneault came to the defence of his defenceman Matt Niskanen on Thursday.
In the third period of the Canadiens’ 5-3 win over the Flyers in Game 5 of their playoff series Wednesday night, Niskanen crosschecked the Canadiens’ Brendan Gallagher in the face, leaving him sitting on the ice dazed with a bloody mouth before returning to the bench. No penalty was called on the play.
TSN’S Pierre Lebrun tweeted on Thursday afternoon: “From Habs GM Marc Bergevin: ‘Gally has a broken jaw.’ ” Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reported that Gallagher will require surgery and won’t be available for the rest of this playoff series against the Flyers. Game 6 is Friday at Scotiabank Arena (7 p.m., CBC, SN, TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio) with the Flyers leading 3-2 and the Canadiens facing elimination for the second-straight game.
After meeting with the NHL’S Department of Player Safety on Thursday, Niskanen was suspended for one game for his hit on Gallagher.
When asked during a video conference Thursday about the possibility of Niskanen getting suspended, Vigneault said: "Well, first of all, let’s see what happens with this afternoon there. My estimation, though, Gallagher got up and seemed fine. He was talking to the referees. The whole time that he was on the bench he was talking to our players for the rest of the game.
“Gallagher’s a very competitive player,” Vigneault added. “I don’t think it’s Nisky’s fault that he might not be as tall as some of the other guys, but he competes as big, if not bigger than anybody else. Just seemed a hockey play that unfortunately cut him a little bit.”
Vigneault was also asked about the hit the Canadiens’ Jesperi Kotkaniemi put on Flyers defenceman Travis Sanheim in the second period that resulted in a five-minute major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct. The Flyers’ Jakub Voracek scored two goals on the ensuing power play to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead.
“There’s no doubt that there’s no love between both teams,” Vigneault said. “Both teams want to win. Very competitive. The hit on Travis, it was a blow upwards towards the head that cut him . ... But Nisky’s hit, his angle doesn’t change. Just a hockey play in my estimation.”
Flyers forward Joel Farabee was also asked Thursday about Niskanen’s hit on Gallagher.
“I saw it from the bench,” he said. “My view was not great. In my opinion, it’s playoff hockey. Guys are going at it out there. We’re fighting for every inch. I didn’t think it was to the point where he needs a suspension or anything. Like I said, it’s playoff hockey. I think we can move on from it.”
Not surprisingly, Canadiens defenceman Ben Chiarot had a much different view on Niskanen’s hit.
“It looks like a cross-check right to the face pretty much is how I saw it,” Chiarot said Thursday. “An unsuspecting guy. Gally’s in the corner playing the puck, turns around and gets a mouthful of Niskanen’s stick. That’s how I saw it.”
Game 5 was a chippy affair and there was a lot of pushing and shoving between players from both teams at the end of the game. The stage is now set for what could be a very physical Game 6.
“It’s Game 6,” the Flyers’ Kevin Hayes said. “I think every game brings more intensity. Their backs are against the wall, like you guys saw. I think the intensity is going to be there. There are a couple hits in the game and then the little scrum at the end. It’s going to be a fun game for sure. Both teams need to win. If we win, we move on. If they lose, they go home. There’s a lot of things at stake.”
An unsuspecting guy. Gally’s in the corner playing the puck, turns around and gets a mouthful of Niskanen’s stick.