We all thought that this issue was closed when the Boston Bruins eliminated their original six rival in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Montreal Canadiens apparently are still sore about the incident that took place up in the Bell Centre back in March. Bruins captain Zdeno Chara drilled Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty into the turnbuckle that supports the bench.
Pacioretty was stretchered off the ice and was later diagnosed with a crack vertebrae. He would go on to miss the rest of the regular season and the playoffs. This took place during the last meeting on Montreal ice during the regular season. Chara was not suspended and received no fine for the hit. Chara was not even penalized on the original play. It was not until the officials got together and enforced a five minute interference penalty and a game misconduct.
Almost four months later, the Montreal Police Department is currently launching an investigation to pursue criminal charges against Chara. Allegedly, Chara will be the last person the police will speak to and the Bruins organization is fully cooperating. The investigation will continue to go on for at least the next week.
When this news first broke, I laughed while reading the story. After collecting myself and thinking about the circumstances behind the incident, I still refuse to comprehend what is going on in the minds of the Canadiens. The issue was settled when Chara received no suspension, no fine, and no initial penalty on the play. If Montreal knocked off Boston in the first round, I guarantee you that the issue would have been dropped. Chara is removed from one of the best seasons in his career and it is going to end with possible criminal charges. Not only will nothing come of this, but the rest of the league will now witness how unsportsmanlike the Canadian teams in the NHL really are.
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