Player Safety Reportedly Makes Controversial Decision on Zach Whitecloud’s hit on Leafs’ Matthew Knies

During the second period of Wednesday’s game between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas defenseman Zach Whitecloud laid a thunderous hit on Leafs winger Matthew Knies.

Unfortunately for Knies, there was a lot of head contact, and Whitecloud left his feet to complete the hit. The end result was Knies not only struggling to get back to his feet, but also leaving the game and not being able to return.

Whitecloud was originally slapped with a 5-minute major on the play and likely would have been ejected from the game had the penalty been upheld by the officials. However, after a brief review, not only did the referee not uphold the call, he rescinded it entirely, essentially establishing that it was a clean hit, despite the evidence to the contrary.

While many in Toronto were expecting a suspension announcement for Whitecloud, unfortunately, it does not appear to be coming. Per TSN’s Gino Reda, the league has reviewed the play and has no intention of issuing a suspension.

It feels like a bit of a slap in the face from the Department of Player Safety to the Leafs, who recently threw the book at Leafs winger Ryan Reaves for following through with a similar hit and didn’t leave his feet.

For Knies, who has a history of concussions, there is obviously a great deal of concern. Thankfully, with the Leafs confirming that Knies had begun to feel better on Thursday, perhaps he was able to avoid the worst of it.