Mike Matheson’s Take: The Sharks’ Coach Weighs In

Last night, during the Montreal Canadiens' loss to the San Jose Sharks, a very concerning incident occurred early in the game. Just 28 seconds into the game, Sharks forward Igor Chernyshov fell dangerously to the ice after a check by Mike Matheson.
Chernyshov, clearly dazed, slowly slid face-first across the ice before falling again while trying to get back up. For those who missed it or want to watch it again, here's the full clip.

Igor Chernyshov had to be helped off the ice after taking a scary fall from this hit pic.twitter.com/hZmsjm8n0q
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) March 14, 2026
This obviously put a huge damper on the game at the Bell Centre, as the arena fell silent for quite a while. Online on social media, however, Sharks fans were up in arms from all sides, venting their frustration at Mike Matheson.

In the end, it was an accident, as Matheson is clearly not a dirty player like a certain Radko Gudas, and the Sharks' coach made a point of clarifying that after the game.

Hopefully this will help calm down Sharks Twitter, it was a hockey play gone bad, plain and simple. https://t.co/L9qoA3JJih
— HFTV (@HFTVSports) March 15, 2026

In fact, Ryan Warsofsky clearly explained that he didn't think Matheson had tried to injure Chernyshov, but that the play could have been called for interference, as Matheson's stick is clearly visible in the Russian Sharks forward's skate.
The scene was very alarming, but Matheson would never have wanted to hurt Chernyshov in that way. In fact, immediately after the first period, the Habs defenseman and Alexandre Carrier asked Sharks defenseman Vincent Desharnais for an update on Chernyshov.

Desharnais, on Matheson's hit on Chernyshov: “Matheson, Carrier, they all came to me after the first period and asked me, ‘Is he okay?' I think it was kind of a bad luck play, and I don't think Mikey meant for that to happen—it was just bad luck. I think he's doing okay now, and that's all that…
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 15, 2026

Fortunately, the young forward has been released from the hospital and has rejoined the team, with whom he will travel to Ottawa. In short, it seems to be more of a scare than anything serious, even if we may learn that Chernyshov is on the concussion protocol.
Matheson has nothing to blame himself for in the end, but the fact remains that this morning, the Canadiens could have chosen a photo of another player for tonight's game against the Anaheim Ducks.

putting matheson on the graphic is actual ragebait https://t.co/kCt7AV6KEE
— keith ⁷² ✮ (@ARBERXHEKAJS) March 15, 2026

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