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Greg WyshynskiESPN
After being suspended for the rest of the NHL preseason, Max Domi of the Montreal Canadiens said that he regretted giving Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad a broken nose with a sucker punch.
“I feel bad about it. It’s not the way I wanted to handle that. It’s an emotional game and obviously I’m an emotional player,” said Domi at Canadiens camp on Friday. “I’ve known Aaron a long time. Grew up playing against each other. We always play hard, always battle, whether it was in minor hockey, junior, the national level and now the NHL. By no means did I want to hurt him. I feel bad about it and I hope he’s OK. But, you know what? I’ve got to suffer the consequences of it. It’s unfortunate, but it is what it is, and I definitely respect he league’s decision.”
Ekblad, however, wasn’t in an understanding mood. The 22-year-old defenseman sported two black eyes after the punch.
“I think he’s stupid for doing it. In the end, it’s hockey. That’s the way it goes. Scores will get settled at a later date,” said Ekblad at Panthers training camp on Friday, via the team.
The incident occurred in a preseason game on Wednesday night. Ekblad delivered a slash to Domi’s stick. Domi tugged at Ekblad’s jersey in an effort to get him to fight. Ekblad refused the invitation, and Domi dropped his glove and punched him twice in the face. Domi was assessed a match penalty, as well as a minor penalty for roughing. The NHL suspended Domi, whom Montreal acquired in the offseason from the Arizona Coyotes for center Alex Galchenyuk, for the rest of the preseason, but it does not carry over to the regular season.
Ekblad wasn’t satisfied with the suspension.
“It’s kind of a gift. I don’t want to comment too much on the league’s decision, but I think it’s wrong. That’s life, though,” Ekblad said.
Domi said if retribution is attempted when the Canadiens and Panthers meet during the regular season, “that’s hockey. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”