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Canadiens’ Arber Xhekaj under fire after ‘heavy’ hit on Sabres’ Sam Carrick
TL;DR
Arber Xhekaj of the Canadiens is facing backlash for a heavy punch thrown at Sam Carrick of the Sabres during a postgame altercation after Game 3. The Canadiens won the game 6-2, taking a 2-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
Key points
- Arber Xhekaj faced criticism for a punch thrown at Sam Carrick
- The incident occurred after the Canadiens' 6-2 victory
- Montreal leads the series 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
Arber XhekajSam CarrickMontreal CanadiensBuffalo Sabres
NHL forward Arber Xhekaj is facing criticism after a controversial punch dropped Sam Carrick at the end of Game 3 between the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night.
Montreal secured a dominant 6-2 victory to grab a 2-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, but the postgame discussion shifted toward the chaotic scene at the final buzzer.
As tensions boiled over late in the game, players from both teams gathered in a large scrum after time expired. During the altercation, Xhekaj appeared to throw a quick combination at Carrick. Replays showed the Canadiens defenseman pushing his left hand into Carrick’s face before landing a heavy right hand to the jaw.
MORE: Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes gets honest after big Game 3 win
Carrick immediately dropped to the ice, with the clip spreading rapidly across social media. Hockey podcast Spittin Chiclets shared the moment online, writing, “Wifi threw a heavy right on Carrick at the buzzer.”
Soon, fans reacted to the hit. Some defended Xhekaj’s physical style, while others criticized the timing and nature of the punch.
One fan posted, “Dirty play. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s suspended.”
Another fan wrote, “Cheap shot. And no call, typical. Refs were garbage tonight.”
“Sucker punch specialist. Perros will do nothing,” A fan wrote, pointing to the head of the NHL’s Player Safety.
However, some tried to defend Xhekaj.
A fan wrote, “Watch the whole sequence, Carrick was tossing punches too, he just got caught with one.”
Q&A
What happened between Arber Xhekaj and Sam Carrick in Game 3?
Arber Xhekaj threw a punch at Sam Carrick during a postgame altercation after the Canadiens' 6-2 victory over the Sabres.
What was the outcome of the Canadiens vs. Sabres Game 3?
The Montreal Canadiens won the game 6-2, taking a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
Why is Arber Xhekaj criticized after the game?
Xhekaj is criticized for throwing a heavy punch at Carrick, which sparked controversy and discussions about player conduct.
