It's become a point of ridicule that Montreal Canadiens fans called the police after Zdeno Chara rode Max Pacioretty into a stanchion and onto a stretcher back in March.
But here's the thing: There's actually an ongoing police investigation into the matter; and now that the Boston Bruins are Stanley Cup champions, Montreal authorities would like a word with the last witness in this case with whom they've yet to speak ? Zdeno Chara.
Sgt. Ian Lafreni�re of Montreal police said the investigation was delayed because most of the witnesses were hockey players busy with the Stanley Cup Playoffs. There were concerns Chara would be brought in for questioning when he returned to Montreal during the first round of the playoffs in April, but police said they were in no rush to speak to him.
Lafreni�re said Tuesday, however, that the investigation is nearing its end and the last step is to finally interview Chara. "We haven't met Chara, we don't have his version of the facts, and also at the end of it, [a report is] gonna be presented to a crown prosecutor, and this is the person who will decide whether there will be some accusations," said Lafreni�re.
Montreal police told the CP they intend to question Chara soon, but they won't say when or where they'll do it.
Pacioretty suffered what the team called a "severe concussion," with a second opinion from renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Markus Recchi disagreeing with the diagnosis. The severity of the injury aside, the impact of the moment politically was significant: From politicians speaking out to NHL sponsors threatening the League over player safety issues.
The police investigation is another facet of that fallout. And while we watched Chara, who wasn't suspended, talk around any culpability for Pacioretty's injury -- calling it "one of those things" -- we know there's a legal reason why.
Hopefully this is just a productive conversation and some evidence gathering, and we can be done with this incident without charges being filed by a prosecutor. Real world statutes and regulations have no place in our happy little Thunderdome of nightly violence and lawlessness.
Plus, arrest Chara might prove difficult, unless they can fly in the handcuffs they used on Chewbacca while saving the princess on the Death Star.
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