Chara hits Pacioretty

BOSTON — While it might be no consolation to Montreal forward Max Pacioretty while he’s recovering from a fractured vertebrae and a severe concussion, Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara feels bad his hit caused such damage.

Yesterday while speaking to TSN, Pacioretty said he disagreed with the notion that Chara didn’t intentionally shove his head into the stanchion.

“I understand, he’s in the hospital, he has a right to be emotional and I respect that,” said Chara after today’s morning skate at TD Garden in preparation for an evening game with Buffalo. “I obviously feel bad that he got hurt. As a hockey player, we all feel bad that something like that happened – doesn’t matter if you’re the home team or the visiting team. I’m wishing him a fast recovery and hopefully he can be back on the ice soon and that’s all we love to do. We love to play hockey. Obviously when we got out there we take risks, and sometimes we do get hurt. But it’s just very unfortunate.”

Some are questioning Chara’s intentions on the play due to his history with Pacioretty, with whom he engaged in a post-game shoving match after a Pacioretty overtime goal earlier this season. Chara, however, says he didn’t know who he was checking into the boards.

“No [I didn’t know it was him.] … It was the faceoff and we tried to set up the play, and basically the puck went to the other side and we were racing for the puck. And I had no idea he was out on the ice. I had no idea it was him,” said Chara.

As far as reports out of Montreal that there might be criminal charges on the way, Chara says he’s not too worried about that right now.

“I got some media information on that this morning, but like I said, right now I’m focusing on playing my game and playing hockey,” he said.

The Bruins are not scheduled to return to Montreal this season, but the Canadiens come to Boston March 24.

Published By Thu. March 10, 2011 12:41 pm EDT