Jets' Scheifele discusses dangerous hit on Canadiens' Evans

James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports

Jets' Mark Scheifele discusses dangerous hit on Canadiens' Jake Evans

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 6/4/21

Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele was suspended four games by the NHL Department of Player Safety for a hit that put Montreal Canadiens forward Jake Evans on a stretcher at the end of Game 1 between the two sides on Wednesday night.

During a media appearance on Friday, Scheifele explained what he was thinking during the play that left the Habs forward with a concussion.

Via David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period:

Mark Scheifele: "First and foremost, the No.1 thing is Jake Evans' health. I reached out to a couple of their guys. I pray for a quick and speedy recovery for him and that he's OK."
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 4, 2021

Scheifele: "My intention on that play is to negate a goal. There's no intent, no malice there. My thought process there is to cut him up at that post. . . There's a minute left in the game, we just scored, it's a 1-goal game. My only thought in my mind is to prevent a goal."
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 4, 2021

Scheifele: "For that result to happen hurts me. I have tremendous respect for this league, for the players in this league. The biggest thing that sucks about it is the result. It's one of those things you have to learn from. I just have to know there's a plan for everything."
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 4, 2021

Scheifele's suspension was announced Thursday night, and the league called the charge into Evans "a high, predatory hit" delivered with "excessive momentum gained from traveling a considerable distance."

With 56.9 seconds left in Game 1 and Montreal leading by one goal, Evans scored into an empty net on a wraparound play. As he scored, Scheifele skated into him at full speed and Evans fell hard to the ice, with his head hitting first.

Mark Scheifele was given a 5-minute game misconduct for this hit on Jake Evans #GoJetsGo #GoHabsGo

Thoughts on the hit?

pic.twitter.com/lFq8V1OoAn
— SiriusXM NHL Network Radio (@SiriusXMNHL) June 3, 2021

Canadiens players were furious about the hit while speaking with the media after Game 1. Jesperi Kotkaniemi called the play "disgusting," and Joel Edmundson said the Habs will make Scheifele's life "miserable" if the series isn't over by the time his suspension is up.

Scheifele had never been suspended in his 10-year career before Thursday's decision by the Department of Player Safety.

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