Radko Gudas breaks silence on Auston Matthews' season-ending hit
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas has spoken out about his controversial hit on Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews. The incident left Matthews with a season-ending knee injury. Gudas expressed regret, calling the outcome 'terrible' while maintaining he never intended to cause harm. The hit occurred during a high-intensity game on 12 March 2026. Gudas acknowledged that physical contact in hockey can sometimes lead to unfortunate results. He stressed that his approach on the ice is never to injure opponents.
The NHL responded by suspending Gudas for five games. Despite the severity of the incident, its impact on Toronto's playoff hopes was limited. At the time of Matthews' injury, the Maple Leafs were already near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, holding only theoretical chances of qualification. Matthews will now miss the rest of the season due to his knee injury. The Maple Leafs, sitting third from last in the East, face an uphill battle without their star player. Gudas, meanwhile, returns to the ice after serving his suspension.
