Panthers rookie Sandis Vilmanis, facing backlash from Bruins fans for his controversial hit on Charlie McAvoy, has come forward to clarify the incident. In an interview with the Globe, Vilmanis expressed his regret, stating, 'Of course I didn’t mean to do that.' He explained that the hit occurred so quickly that he didn’t have time to react, saying, 'You know, it just happened so fast. And, of course, you don’t see who it is, right?'
Despite the initial penalty for an illegal check to the head, Vilmanis maintains that it was an accident. He didn’t play after the incident and was listed with an upper-body injury, but has since recovered and will be in the lineup for Latvia’s Olympic game against the United States on Thursday. Meanwhile, Bruins fans have taken to his social media to express their displeasure.
Vilmanis, a 22-year-old left winger with 14 NHL games under his belt, admits that he was unprepared for the intense rivalry between the teams. 'Oh yeah, the first couple of shifts, I already had a couple hits on me,' he said. 'It’s a heavy game, a hard game.'
While he expects a tough game on Thursday, Vilmanis downplays any personal animosity towards McAvoy, who has also chosen to focus on the game at hand. Team USA coach Mike Sullivan, McAvoy’s father-in-law, echoed this sentiment, stating, 'That’s in the rearview mirror. These guys are focused on the opportunity we have in front of us.'
Despite the controversy, Vilmanis’s teammate, Panthers defenseman Uvis Balinskis, believes the Bruins won’t hold a grudge. 'Not here, probably,' Balinskis said. 'Maybe when we go back to the National League. Maybe when we play Boston again he may need to keep his head up a little bit more. But I don’t think he’s in trouble.'
As the Olympic tournament unfolds, the incident between Vilmanis and McAvoy serves as a reminder of the intense competition in the NHL. While Vilmanis has taken responsibility for his actions, the incident has sparked discussion and debate among fans and players alike. What do you think? Do you think Vilmanis’s actions were intentional or an accident? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
