Ron MacLean spoke at length last night during the first intermission of ``Hockey Night in Canada'' about former co-host Don Cherry's dismissal.
He said -- quote -- ``we are all hurting.''
MacLean said he's collapsed 100 times this week, if not more.
He also talked at length about his close relationship with Cherry, but said he had to choose -- his words -- ''principle over friendship.''
Sportsnet fired the 85-year-old Cherry on Monday after his Coach's Corner complaints about immigrants not wearing Remembrance Day poppies.
Cherry had co-hosted Coach's Corner for 38 years.
MacLean first apologized last Sunday for Cherry's comments, and his own lack of response, and he reiterated that last night.