A violent hit on Montreal Canadiens forward Jake Evans has left fans and pundits alike in shock Thursday morning.
This article contains graphic content that might not be suitable for some readers.
During the Winnipeg Jets versus Montreal Canadiens playoff game on Wednesday night, Jets forward Mark Scheifele charged 200 feet up the ice and delivered a devastating hit on Evans, who was alone near the Jets' empty net to tuck in a puck. The hit knocked Evans unconscious and sparked a debate about player safety that is certain to rage on for the rest of the playoffs.
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After the hit was replayed over and over again on last night's sports broadcasts, the consensus opinion seems to be that Scheifele deserves to be suspended for the remainder of the playoff series.
NHL Dept of Player Safety will have failed miserably if Mark Schiefele isn’t suspended for the remainder of the pos… https://t.co/02dMTQHwDY— Jeremy Beren (@Jeremy Beren) 1622686726.0
Schiefele doesnt even ATTEMPT to impede Evans' stick, THE PUCK IS ALREADY IN THE NET, and he goes straight for the… https://t.co/McrskSCcGH— Pridham's Calculator (@Pridham's Calculator) 1622687602.0
The puck is in the net. The game is over. Evans is defenceless, and he hit him square in the head at full speed. If… https://t.co/V6uv1GJt41— Gerald Butts (@Gerald Butts) 1622687641.0
Thankfully, Evans was reported to be "alert but shaken" after the hit and was able to give fellow Hab Jesperi Kotkaniemi a fist bump according to a post-game interview.
Here’s to hoping the kid is okay. That his career and health aren’t jeopardized due to Schiefele’s actions. Prayer… https://t.co/Cz7RxwEt1n— x-JD73 (@x-JD73) 1622692705.0
Other Habs players weighed in, including Brendan Gallagher, who said that Scheifele "should know better."
"It’s brutal. Didn’t need to happen, wrong play. He knows better." Brendan Gallagher commented on Mark Scheifele’s… https://t.co/NdFgnvULFL— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) 1622687890.0
Habs defenceman Joel Edmundson reportedly warned that if Scheifele isn't suspended, the Habs will "make his life miserable" for the rest of the playoffs.
Mark Scheifele leaves his feets and drills Jake Evans, who is leaving the game on a stretcher Absolute garbage https://t.co/aFlTn6nsLR— Scott Matla (@Scott Matla) 1622686634.0
Only a handful of former NHL players, now pundits themselves, said that plays like this are common and that Evans should have been more aware of his surroundings.
I’ve seen a lot of replays & ive read a lot comments about the Scheifele hit. Its a very heavy hit & probably gonna… https://t.co/j8xjcnpzAA— Carlo Colaiacovo (@Carlo Colaiacovo) 1622691196.0
Folks..first off I hope Evans is ok..my 2 cents.. https://t.co/QK9EeF2aJM— Mike Commodore (@Mike Commodore) 1622693909.0
Even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a well-documented Habs fan himself, sent his good wishes to Evans after the game.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety will be holding a hearing for Scheifele on Thursday.
Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele will have a hearing today for Charging Montreal’s Jake Evans.— NHL Player Safety (@NHL Player Safety) 1622726700.0
