The Colorado AvalancheWe are working with St. Louis police to address threats directed at the center Nazem KadriAfter Saturday’s Game 3 win against the Blues,
Following a series-ending injury suffered by Blues goaltender, the threats were made Jordan BinningtonAfter a collision with Kadri.
Just six minutes into the third period of Game 3, Kadri was beaten by Blues’ defenseman Calle RosenBinnington was struck by the car. Binnington was left with a lower back injury from the collision. He had to leave the game to make room for Binnington in the next series. Backup Ville HussoBlues’ No.1 netminder, he began the postseason in the role. The game’s No. 1 netminder was entered by, who gave up four goals and 23 shots during the 5-2 loss. The Avalanche have a 2-1 series advantage heading into Game 4 Monday night in St. Louis.
Blues coach after the game Craig BerubeKadri was questioned about his role in the injury. “Look at Kadri’s record. He said nothing about Kadri. Kadri has been suspended multiple times, including an eight game ban for illegally checking the head of St. Louis defenseman. Justin FaulkIn the 2021 playoffs.
Kadri was not penalized for the play. According to the NHL Department of Player Safety, there was no additional discipline for Kadri.
Hockey player on Sunday Akim AliuTwitter user Aliu tweeted that he spoke to Kadri about the Avalanche center being subject to “so much racist attacks, threats and threats since last evening that police had to come in.” Kadri and Aliu are founders of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, a group of former and current hockey players of color who seek to eliminate racism from the game.
Kadri, a Muslim of Lebanese origin, is the founder.
Aliu stated, “Racist attacks such as this have no place within hockey and should not be investigated or reported on.” Colorado issued a statement to the media Sunday saying that “The Avalanche Organization is aware of threats against Nazem Kadri, and is working with local police to investigate.”
Aliu said that Kadri felt unsafe at St. Louis’ Avalanche team hotel partly due to threats made via social media. These threats led to additional police being stationed outside the hotel.
Aliu also called out St. Louis’s coach for making insinuations that were based on Kadri’s fame.
“Berube should not be talking about reputation. Aliu explained that the man has made public statements calling another player “monkey”, but he was talking about reputation.
Berube, a First Nations descendant, was suspended in November 1997 because he called. Florida PanthersForward Peter WorrellBerube was playing for “a monkey”, Washington Capitals. Worrell called him to apologize and Worrell admitted that it wasn’t in the right context.
Kadri defends his actions in Game 3.
“I only see a puck loose, really. He was just sitting behind me. Their defenseman collided to me and pushed him into me. He said that if it hadn’t been for this, I don’t think I would ever have hit him.”
After the game, Binnington’s situation took an unusual turn. Kadri was giving a postgame interview to TNT, talking about the collision. He stopped for a while, then continued and told the broadcast that Binnington had thrown a bottle at him. Kadri did not back down from his insinuation during the postgame news conference.
The Athletic reported that two people confirmed that Binnington was responsible for throwing the water bottle. ESPN reported Sunday that multiple NHL sources confirmed to ESPN that Binnington was not going to be punished or suspended for the incident.