Mark Scheifele: “It was the Department of Player Safety that shut me down”
It’s safe to say that Mark Scheifele doesn’t agree with the suspension he was handed.
In game 1 of the Winnipeg Jets’ second-round series with the Montreal Canadiens, Scheifele drilled Jake Evans with a hit after charging his way down the ice. Scheifele was handed a four-game suspension and ultimately watched his team get swept.
On Wednesday, Scheifele spoke at Winnipeg’s end-of-season media availability and briefly sounded off about being “shut down” by the Department of Player Safety.
“It’s not fun. It’s definitely not a great feeling. You feel pretty helpless when your team’s out there battling and you’re watching from the stands,” Scheifele said. “But the way you handle setbacks is what defines us. So, that’s the mentality I’m taking.”
“I thought I was going to be tried to be shut down by Phillip Danault. Instead it was the Department of Player Safety that shut me down. So that definitely sucks.”
Meanwhile, on the other side, Evans suffered a concussion and hasn’t played since. On Tuesday, Evans resumed off-ice training, but there isn’t a timetable for his return to the ice or to game action.
The Habs will play the winner of the West Division Final between the Colorado Avalance and Vegas Golden Knights.