Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube strongly criticized Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas, labeling his hit on Auston Matthews as “dirty play.”
“Dirty play,” Berube said, via The Athletic. “The league’s going to obviously look at it and see what the suspension will be or whatever happens.”
The incident occurred during Toronto’s 6-4 victory over Anaheim on Thursday night. In the second period, Matthews attempted to maneuver around Gudas in the slot when the Ducks defender delivered a knee-on-knee collision to Matthews’ left leg.
Matthews crashed into the ice. He remained down briefly and required assistance to leave for the locker room, exiting the game with a knee injury. No immediate update on his condition was available.
Gudas, known for his physical style and a prior hit that sidelined Sidney Crosby during the Olympics, received a major penalty and game misconduct for the play.
“It’s a garbage hit from a player who has a reputation for doing these kinds of things,” TSN analyst Frankie Corrado said on the broadcast following the game. “It’s been something that has followed Radko Gudas around. He has a tendency to stick his knee out or put himself in a position where he can hurt a player in a vulnerable position. … That’s no way to play defense.”
Berube expressed frustration post-game, stating the league would review the incident to determine any suspension or further action.
The coach also noted his team’s lack of immediate physical response to the hit but praised their effort in the third period. Earlier in the frame, Matthews had ended a 12-game goal drought with a power-play tally, contributing one goal in his 60 games this season with 27 goals and 26 assists.
