Federal sports minister calls on NHL to take Pacioretty hit seriously

Montreal Canadiens' Max Pacioretty lays on the ice after taking a hit by Boston Bruins' Zdeno Chara during second period NHL hockey action Tuesday, March 8, 2011 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

OTTAWA - The federal minister responsible for sport says the hit that gave Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty a severe concussion is "unacceptable."

Pacioretty also suffered a fractured vertebra from the frightening hit in a game against Boston.

Minister of State for Sport Gary Lunn says he saw incident last night while watching the game and says he hopes the N-H-L takes it seriously.

Pacioretty's head slammed into the glass partition between the benches when Zdeno Chara hit him late in the second period of the game.

Chara was given a major penalty for interference and a game misconduct, but could face further discipline.

Canadiens coach Jacques Martin says Pacioretty fractured his fourth cervical vertebra.

(The Canadian Press)

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TAP