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Sens coach on Eller hit: ‘A hockey play that went bad’

Paul MacLean

Paul MacLean speaks with the media after being named head coach of the Ottawa Senators hockey team during a news conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday June 14, 2011. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Adrian Wyld)

AP

From the Ottawa Senators’ perspective, defenseman Eric Gryba’s hit on Montreal Canadiens forward Lars Eller was an unfortunate circumstance instead of a suspension-worthy blow.

Head coach Paul MacLean chalked it up to bad luck to the Montreal Gazette’s Dave Stubbs.

"[It was] a hockey play that went bad for Eller,” MacLean said.

Gryba, 25, provided a similar message to Sportsnet’s Ian Mendes.

“My elbow was down and there was no intent to hurt him whatsoever,” Gryba said. “I hope he’s okay ... It’s never good seeing that.”

No word on whether or not Senators owner Eugene Melnyk will get his forensics team on the case, though. (Apologies, that joke was required.)

As you can see from this video, Jeremy Roenick and Keith Jones likely agree with Gryba and MacLean: