Leafs’ Robidas dodges hearing for Matthias hit

After a lacklustre performance against the New Jersey Devils, the Toronto Maple Leafs came roaring out of the gate to bury the Vancouver Canucks early and then hanging on for the win.

Stephane Robidas gets a pass.

The Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman will not have a disciplinary hearing to discuss his high hit on Vancouver Canucks forward Shawn Matthias, reports Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston:

Chris Johnston on Twitter

Robidas nailed Matthias with his right elbow or forearm 16:50 into the second period of Toronto’s 5-2 victory over Vancouver on Saturday, sparking speculation that the veteran blueliner could face a suspension.

“I didn’t mean to hurt the guy,” Robidas told reporters. “I just hope he’s fine. They called [me] for elbowing. I didn’t mean to hurt him, and I just hope he’s OK.”

Matthias, from nearby Mississauga, Ont., left the game immediately with an upper-body injury and did not return.

Matthias also sat out the Canucks’ game Sunday, a loss to the Ottawa Senators.

“I try to play physical,” Robidas said. “I don’t try to hurt people, that’s not what I’m trying to do. The play happened fast and I tried to close on him…. It’s one of those where I just felt awful.”

 

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.