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Scott says no intent to hurt Eriksson, calls hit ‘unfortunate’

JohnScott2

The day after nailing Boston forward Loui Eriksson with a check to the head, Sabres tough guy John Scott met with reporters to explain his side of things.

“It was unfortunate what happened,” Scott said, as per the Sabres website.

Scott -- who, despite his reputation as one of the NHL’s fiercest fighters, doesn’t have a disciplinary record -- was given a match penalty for illegal check to the head with about 15 minutes remaining in the third period and Boston in command of the game.

The hit set off a firestorm of reactions on social media, many calling for a lengthy ban. The Sabres organization and head coach Ron Rolston were also under fire, as both has now seen three high-profile disciplinary incidents within the last month: the preseason bench-clearing brawl with Toronto, Patrick Kaleta’s 10-game suspension for hitting Columbus’ Jack Johnson and, now, the Scott hit.

According to Bill Hoppe of Buffalo Hockey Beat, Scott was “adamant” he had no intent to injure Eriksson on the hit and said he texted the Bruins forward to apologize.

Scott, 31, is scheduled for an in-person hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, and is suspended indefinitely until that hearing.