Hockey player Westin Michaud, a Nottingham Panthers teammate of the late Adam Johnson, came to the defense of Matt Petgrave, the player whose skate unfortunately ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The American sat in the front row on Saturday and witnessed this sad scene. He was therefore able to see that, contrary to what several Internet users said, Petgrave’s gesture was not intentional.
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“I have to say something about this accident. Our thoughts are with Matt Petgrave. “The hateful comments Matt is receiving are terrible and completely unwarranted,” Michaud wrote on his own X account (formerly Twitter) on Monday.
“I was lying at ice level on the bench closest to the incident. I saw both players moving quickly. The Sheffield hockey player’s involuntary blow to the Panthers player’s leg resulted in the somersault,” he said.
During his fall, Petgrave was unable to prevent his skate from flying to a dangerous height and hitting the neck of the passing Johnson. Michaud attributes this incident to bad luck.
“I realize his actions were unintentional and anyone who says otherwise is wrong. Let’s come together and not spread unwarranted hatred against anyone who needs support,” he concluded.