Canadiens Star Juraj Slafkovsky Blasts NHL Player Safety Over Controversial Decision

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Gabriel Sami
November 5, 2024 (11:12)

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Juraj Slafkovsky of the Montreal Canadiens has spoken out about a hit he took from Pittsburgh Penguins player Noel Acciari, stating that he was knocked out during the play.

Following a heated online debate over the weekend, Slafkovsky has now shared his thoughts on the contentious hit that Acciari delivered, and he is not pleased with the outcome.

Late in the Pittsburgh Penguins' 3-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, the hit in question occurred. Another devastating blow to the Montreal lineup came when Slafkovsky was forced to leave the game with about three minutes remaining because there was no call on the play:

Two former NHL players called the collision a dirty hit, and it caused controversy in hockey's social media communities. Slafkovsky was not pleased with the NHL's Department of Player Safety's ruling that Acciari did not need to be punished:

"Obviously, I put myself in that spot, but you expect to get reverse hit. They teach me to reverse hit with my back and my ass, not with my arm. So I was maybe expecting a different type of contact from him...I got KO'd and had to go take a shower."

I don't know, I have my opinion, but I probably can't say because it's bad.

It's quite mature of the young Slafkovsky to keep his thoughts to himself, but it's easy to imagine the tirade of profanities and irate remarks the Montreal forward must have made when he was taken out of the game. This season, injuries have plagued Montreal, so the possibility of another one, particularly to such a talented young player, would be disastrous for the Canadiens.

«It is what it is,» Acciari said. «Again, I'm not doing anything maliciously out there. I'm just trying to play a hard game. It was unfortunate. I hope he's OK.»

Slafkovsky also stated that he was compelled to follow concussion protocol even though he wanted to play the remaining minutes of the game, which infuriated the forward:

"It's a good thing that my head is fine...I was pissed because, like, three minutes until the end of the game, and I wanted to be out there."

Juraj Slafkovsky is understandably irritated. He takes it squarely in the chin, according to a few views of the impact. Slafkovsky and Acciari will meet one more on Dec. 12, when the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins play again.

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NOVEMBRE 5 \| 54 ANSWERS Canadiens Star Juraj Slafkovsky Blasts NHL Player Safety Over Controversial Decision How do you feel about Juraj Slafkovsky's interpretation of Noel Acciari's hit?
Makes sense	38	70.4 %
He's wrong	13	24.1 %
I'm in the middle	3	5.6 %
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