Coach Calls McSorley’s Slash Worst He Has Seen

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Vancouver Coach Marc Crawford testified at Marty McSorley’s assault trial Tuesday that the Boston player’s slash of the Canucks’ Donald Brashear was the worst he ever saw.

“I’ve seen people hit in the head with sticks, but not to that extent,” Crawford testified.

Crawford said he saw McSorley skating behind Brashear late in the third period during a Feb. 21 game against the Bruins. “There was no chance for Donald to expect it was coming,” the coach said.

McSorley is charged with assault as a result of a slash to the right side of Brashear’s head. Brashear suffered a concussion and memory lapses. He is now recovered.

The Canucks and the NHL are opposed to the trial. The team’s position has been that the league acted appropriately in suspending McSorley for the final 23 games last season, and the incident should not have ended up in criminal court.

Earlier, Canuck team doctor Rui Avelar said he believed McSorley’s stick, not the fall to the ice, was the main contributor to Brashear’s concussion.