Suspensions appear to be on the way for both Connor McDavid and Tyler Myers, after an eventful end to Saturday night’s game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks.
Referees dished out a massive amount of penalty minutes with three seconds left, including match penalties to McDavid and Myers for separate cross-checking incidents.
McDavid cross-checked Conor Garland in the face, after the Vancouver forward had been blatantly holding him without penalty. Remarkably, there was another cross-check to the face away from the play, with Myers getting his stick up on Edmonton defenceman Evan Bouchard.
Here’s a look at the 27 seconds of chaos that led to the incidents.
Connor McDavid was issued a match penalty on this play for cross-checking Conor Garland. pic.twitter.com/sB2Gpb3xAA
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 19, 2025
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has announced this morning that each player will have a hearing for his respective infraction — which is usually a precursor to a suspension announcement.
“Date and time TBD,” the NHL said for each hearing.
The hearings will be held over the phone per Jeff Marek, rather than in-person, meaning each suspension can’t be longer than five games in length.
Tyler Myers also received a match penalty for cross-checking Evan Bouchard. pic.twitter.com/9fk6jJHCx9
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 19, 2025
Garland gave an honest assessment post-game when speaking to reporters, and didn’t seem upset with McDavid in the least.
“I’m just holding him. [McDavid is] the best player to ever do it. The time’s running out and I just thought that was maybe the best way for us to win a game, to do that. I don’t want to hurt him,” Garland explained. “He’s a passionate guy, a good dude… Everybody has the fire in the belly trying to win a hockey game, so that’s stuff that happens.”
The Canucks held on to win the game 3-2, despite rumours swirling that J.T. Miller could get traded soon. It was just their third win in 11 games, and Vancouver’s first on home ice since before Christmas. The Canucks remain one point behind the Calgary Flames for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Edmonton, meanwhile, nearly rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win in consecutive games. It was just their second loss in 10 games.
The next game between these two teams, which is set for Thursday in Edmonton, should be an interesting one.
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