Montreal Canadiens' Brandon Prust takes a shot during practice Wednesday, May 28, 2014 in Montreal.The Canadian Press
Apologizing in public can be difficult and unpleasant, and even then, "sorry" sometimes isn't good enough.
Hard-nosed Montreal Canadiens winger Brandon Prust expressed contrition for a postgame tirade Sunday aimed at referee Brad Watson. It didn't spare him a $5,000 (U.S.) fine and a reprimand for making what NHL senior executive vice-president Colin Campbell called "baseless and demeaning" comments toward an official, who in his 20 years of officiating has earned "a high degree of respect."
Before the sanction was announced, Prust was asked whether he had any concern that the more problematic punishment would be closer scrutiny from Watson's brethren in stripes.
"That's just a fingers-crossed scenario, but who knows what's going to happen?" he said. "If I could go back and redo it, I would. But you can't. We've got to live with it and we focus on the road ahead."
The kerfuffle began in the first period of Game 2 between the Habs and Tampa Bay Lightning. Watson whistled Prust for roughing, then delivered a stern penalty-box lecture and assessed an extra two for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Late in the game, Prust was slapped with 27 minutes in penalties, including a game misconduct, and threw his elbow pad into the Tampa bench as he was being led off the ice; he later accused Watson of swearing at him and wanting to "play God."
Criticizing officials is a touchy thing in any sport, but Prust's decision to relay the tenor of his conversation with Watson was also a violation of a solemn hockey omerta: What's said on the ice stays on the ice.
"It was uncalled for – we got in a heated exchange and that should have stayed between us," said Prust, who admitted to a history of jawing with Watson. "I've always played by the code, on and off the ice – I'm a pretty honest player. On Sunday, I crossed the line."
The 31-year-old said his comments were made in the emotional aftermath of a 6-2 drubbing, and upon reflection he shouldn't have come out to address the media.
"I am apologizing for everything. I am apologizing to Brad … I was fired up, I was out of my mind," he said.
Winger Dale Weise expressed support for his teammate, saying he, too, has apologized to officials for saying some things he shouldn't have; coach Michel Therrien said the mea culpa was "the right thing to do."
There was no indication of what, if anything, will happen to Watson for his role in the fracas.