Look, I get it: Jamie Benn has to give the angle on a dirty play he committed that will get him to avoid a suspension.
But these quotes? NHL fans aren’t buying them.
Let’s rewind: The Dallas Stars captain received a game misconduct and a five-minute major in the Game 3 loss against the Vegas Golden Knights for a cross-check to Mark Stone while the latter was laying on the ice.
It appeared from the video that Benn forcefully hit Stone in the head with a cross check, but what did Benn say about it? That he “would’ve liked not to fall on him and I guess use my stick as the landing point.”
Jamie Benn of @DallasStars, when asked if he'd change anything on the play:
“Obviously didn't want to take a 5-minute penalty, but when the game happens fast, emotions are high. Obviously I would've liked to not fall on him and I guess use my stick as the landing point.” (1/2)
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) May 24, 2023
People aren’t buying that as Benn faces a hearing with NHL Player Safety. Check out the reaction below:
Jamie Benn was given a 5 minute major on this play pic.twitter.com/NZESKh2JtL
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 24, 2023
Benn had the whole game to think about it, ran away from the media, had the whole night to sleep on it, and "I fell on his throat with my stick" is the best excuse he can give?
Add 20 games to the suspension for taking us all for idiots pic.twitter.com/0CKViRpnlP https://t.co/YKgoRWdsqy
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) May 24, 2023
"Obviously I would've liked to not fall on him and I guess use my stick as the landing point.” – Jamie Benn
lol pic.twitter.com/DqUWvYVPx4
— Nathan "Grav" (@NathanGraviteh) May 24, 2023
Jamie Benn just spoke to the media. Said he wished he wouldn’t have fallen on Stone and used his stick “as a landing point.”
That’s not how that play looked to me…
Also said he has not spoken with Stone.
— Jamie Hersch (@JamieHersch) May 24, 2023
Wow, Jaime Benn is scum. It took him and the @DallasStars all night (Benn didn't do media after the game) to come up with this trash. https://t.co/3zDmmJodvV
— Chris Gawlik (@TDChrisG) May 24, 2023
I think where Jamie Benn's excuse falls apart is the fact that the cross-check happened in front of thousands of people in person and was televised to millions across the world.
Other than that, I think it's a compelling story. https://t.co/y0S1BPw8C3
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) May 24, 2023
100% chance Jamie Benn is bad at lying. https://t.co/X2nRhzUvj3
— MoneyPuck.com (@MoneyPuckdotcom) May 24, 2023
“i fell on him with my stick”- jamie benn pic.twitter.com/XGNbu6EpNg
— chris✌🏼 (@sonohedman) May 24, 2023
Jamie Benn’s smarter than this … right?
This is the worst 12-hour stretch for a veteran player in a long time. https://t.co/04RhmiK66J
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) May 24, 2023
Jamie Benn is five minutes from asking why Mark Stone violently threw his neck at his stick.
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) May 24, 2023