Repeat offender defends his headshot on former teammate.

Even after openly declaring that they had "nothing to worry about" when facing their former teammate, Zac Rinaldo managed to hurt the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Flyers entered the game thinking the would be some semblance of respect between themselves and the-now Boston Bruins forward, but they thought wrong.

Rinaldo was kicked out of the game at the end of the first period and assessed a five-minute major penalty for charging and a game misconduct for his high hit on Sean Couturier along the boards in the Philadelphia zone.

The hit was clearly high and left Couturier laid out on the ice for some time before getting up. He eventually skated off the ice and was helped to the Flyers dressing room.

On Thursday, Rinaldo attempted to defend his controversial hit, saying there was no intent to injure behind the play.

“I saw the puck coming around the boards, and I thought (Couturier) still had focus on the puck,” Rinaldo said.

“I thought I did the best I can to stay within the rules and deliver a clean body check.”

“I just tried to deliver a body check. That was about it," said Rinaldo. "I've got no comment on the call or anything like that. I guess I just tried to deliver a clean body check, and that's what I thought I did.”

Rinaldo is notorious for handing out punishing, and illegal checks. He has repeatedly been fined and suspended by the NHL, and it appears he has yet to learn his lesson.

The NHL will likely take a close look at this hit and if there is any indication, he will likely be facing suspension once again.

One can't help but ask, how many chances does one player deserve before enough is enough.

Images Courtesy of Keystone Press