Leafs captain John Tavares publicly flames Mikhail Sergachev over head shot on Mitch Marner

Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares was outspoken about a high, blindside hit on line mate Mitch Marner during the first period in the Leafs' thrilling 2-1 comeback win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.

The hit took place near the end of the first frame, when Marner, who was being hooked by Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, was clipped up high by Mikhail Sergachev, who had cut across the ice to deliver the hit that took Marner completely out of the play.

Tavares did what any good captain in the league would and went right after Sergachev to vent his frustrations during a post-whistle scrum.

During the intermission and during the post-game media availability, Tavares took it upon himself to condemn the play, which he deemed a dirty hit.

"We want that out of our game," Tavares told the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan following the Leafs' 4th consecutive win.

Tavares, on sticking up for a downed teammate, told TSN's Mark Masters that he "just didn't like the hit" and that he couldn't just standby, idle, while Sergachev skated away.

While Sergachev did not have to answer for the hit by dropping the gloves, he did apparently issue a personal apology to Marner for the hit in the second period.

Sergachev will have a hearing with the league on Friday, and it looks like there may be supplemental discipline.

MUST READ

1 hour ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch 900-Game NHL Veteran Likely to Retire After Refusing to Sign With Canadian Team

2 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Addresses Struggling Player Nick Robertson in New Interview

4 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker Terrifying Scene for Carolina Hurricanes Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov as He Blacks Out on the Ice

17 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Angry John Tortorella Calls Out One Flyers Player: Trade is Likely Per Elliotte Friedman

19 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Quinn Hughes Ejected: Suspension May be Coming for the Reigning Norris Winner

20 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Matvei Michkov Stuns With Crazy Quote in Post-Game Interview Following OT Winner

21 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Jeremy Swayman on the Verge of Losing the Starting Role in Boston: His Contract Looks Like a Disaster

Nov 23  |  By TJ Tucker Detroit Red Wings Place Massive Six-Foot-Six Forward on Waivers

MORE STORIES