Leafs’ Craig Berube throws injured Matthew Knies under the bus

The heavy hit by Vegas Golden Knights’ Zach Whitecloud on young forward Matthew Knies still has a lot of people talking, but Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has taken a stance — against his own player.

According to Berube, per TSN’s Mark Masters, Knies should have protected himself while exiting the defensive zone. Locked in a puck battle with Vegas’ Keegan Kolesar, Knies never saw Whitecloud coming his way.

This is what Berube had to say when asked about the hit:

“It’s a hockey hit. It’s been around forever … It’s a clean hit. It’s a tough play. He’s in a vulnerable position a little bit. The guy was on him from behind and it’s a tough play. It is, but it’s hockey. That’s part of the game.”

Knies had to leave the game with an upper-body injury. The head coach indicated that he was still being evaluated but was feeling okay.

“Not bad. I mean, still being evaluated and looked at, but actually feeling OK today, which is good news.”

Upon replay, it appears the young Leafs player was struck rather high, and Whitecloud’s skates seemed to leave the ice after the hit. However, the officials ruled that the head was not the primary point of contact and did not penalize Whitecloud.

Last week, Berube defended his veteran forward Ryan Reaves, arguing that he is “a clean player.” Reaves was suspended for five games for a dangerous hit on Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse.

Some fans argued that Whitecloud should have received the same punishment as Reaves, but the Golden Knights’ defenseman did no get a major penalty and no supplemental discipline for the hit on Knies.