Threats, homophobic, sexist and racist insults… The dark side of social networks resurfaced the day after the injury to Patrik Laine.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Cédric Paré, who collided with Laine on Saturday at the Bell Centre, is in fact the target of numerous insults, on the social network of your choice. As much for his gesture towards Laine as for his refusal to engage in combat, a few minutes later, with Arber Xhekaj. Something for all tastes.
It is on Instagram that the comments are the most violent. Users notably headed to Cédric Paré’s official Instagram account (marked with a blue checkmark), an account whose last publication dates from March 2020. It is under his most recent photos that they poured out their gall.
“Not able to play hockey, he has to take his knee out. Cracking rot. » “Pare, I’m waiting for you outside your house, my tbk. I gave you just one, not two. »
These comments are in addition to the numerous messages with racist connotations calling him “yellow”, as well as sexist and homophobic attacks. His relatives are also insulted, notably under a family photo.
Other users, however, tried to appeal for calm. “Calling him cowardly is one thing. To make threats to him or his family, tabarnac, that’s something else. Start by sending Patrik Laine a message of support on his Instagram instead,” one comment read.
The RDS Facebook page published a video of Paré’s post-match interview late Saturday evening. However, given the violence of the reactions, the function allowing you to comment on the publication was eventually deactivated.
On “With a smile on his face, the author of the questionable blow on Patrik Laine claims not to have wanted to hurt him,” we can read.
“I don’t think you’re going to be welcome, Paré… Be careful,” replied one user.
However, the colleague of The Press Éric Martel, who participated in Paré’s press scrum on Saturday evening, ensures that the attacker was not particularly triumphant.
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“It happened so quickly,” Paré testified after the meeting. I watched the video again. He’s big, he comes wide… He comes in with the puck and I can’t let him pass. I had to try to play the body. Both of us were trying to do our jobs. It’s not bad intentions: if I let him in, I’ll get yelled at by my coaches. »
Paré’s agent, Paul Corbeil, did not wish to comment on the situation, so as not to add fuel to the fire. He still claims to have spoken with his client on Saturday evening and Sunday.
For their part, the Maple Leafs did not wish to make further comments, said a team publicist.
Precedents
The events of the weekend therefore add to the anthology of athletes attacked on social networks by disgruntled supporters.
Canadian defender Mike Matheson, when he wore the colors of the Florida Panthers, was a victim. In October 2018, Matheson violently knocked down Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson. Matheson was suspended two matches for his actions, but his Instagram account was then targeted by Internet users who threatened the Quebecer, but also his dog.
Forward Nazem Kadri, when he was a member of the Colorado Avalanche, also said he was the victim of threats after a collision with St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington in 2022.
At the PyeongChang Olympic Games in 2018, speed skater Kim Boutin was targeted with insults and threats following the disqualification of a South Korean rival in the 500m final.
Xhekaj fined
The Paré-Laine incident also had consequences for Xhekaj. The Canadian defender was fined by the National League for unsportsmanlike conduct for his attempt to engage in a fight with Paré. For his actions, Xhekaj is therefore fined $3,385.42, the maximum allowed in the collective agreement.
PHOTO EVAN BUHLER, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Arber Xhekaj was kicked out of the match after fighting with Cédric Paré (56).
His fine is in addition to the penalties awarded to him by officials on Saturday. Xhekaj received a minor penalty (for instigating), a major penalty (for fighting) as well as two 10-minute penalties for misconduct.
He was forced out of the game and the Maple Leafs were given seven minutes of power play. The referees did not penalize Paré for his gesture towards Laine. “I think it was a punishment,” opined the Canadiens head coach, Martin St-Louis. “I don’t think we should play boot hockey in preseason […]but I don’t think there’s room for a knee strike either. It doesn’t matter who it is, it’s not a good play,” defenseman Mike Matheson said.
CH captain Nick Suzuki felt that Paré “stretched his leg”, while defender David Savard said he did not believe that Paré “did it on purpose” to extend his knee. Sunday noon, the Canadian did not offer an update on Laine.
The team is entitled to a training break on Sunday – a leave that many players spent at the Presidents Cup – and will return to action Monday morning, in Brossard.