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‘It’s a dangerous hit,’ says Flyers coach of MacKinnon boarding major

Florida Panthers v Colorado Avalanche

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 21: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche warms up prior to facin the Florida Panthers at Pepsi Center on October 21, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The Panthers defeated the Avalanche 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

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There was a scary moment in the first period of Saturday’s game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche, as Nathan MacKinnon, with a light shove, sent Luke Schenn hard into the end boards.

Schenn, the Flyers defenseman, left the game with an upper-body injury and MacKinnon, the Avalanche star, was given a major penalty for boarding. It was an awkward hit and could’ve been much worse than it may have been.

MacKinnon served his major - the Flyers scored twice, later grabbed a four-goal lead and then held on for a 4-3 win - and remained in the game.

“I am not a fan of hits from behind, never will be, it’s a dangerous hit,” said Flyers’ head coach Craig Berube, as per CSN Philadelphia. “The kid is not like that. He’s not going to hit someone intentionally. But it’s a dangerous hit.”

MacKinnon, 19, addressed the incident after the game, as per Adrian Dater of The Denver Post.

“That was a dumb play by me. I was just trying to turn him to one side with my hand,” said MacKinnon, according to a video online.

“Definitely take responsibility for the hit. Didn’t mean to hurt him. Actually went for dinner with him and his brother (Brayden Schenn) last night. I feel really bad. I know he’s hurt.”

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