The final moments of the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks game ended in a storm of physicality, with Connor McDavid and Tyler Myers both receiving match penalties for cross-checking. The incident will now be reviewed by NHL Player Safety after McDavid cross-checked Conor Garland of the Canucks, while Myers delivered a hit to Evan Bouchard of the Oilers.
The Canucks were holding a 3-2 lead as the Oilers pulled their goalie to add an extra attacker, desperately searching for the equalizer. Tensions flared in the dying seconds of the game, leading to the violent exchanges between the two teams.
The Sequence of Events
It all began when McDavid received the puck from Bouchard at the point and attempted to maneuver around Garland, who managed to block McDavid’s progress, causing McDavid to lose his balance and fall on Garland. The two wrestled for about 10 seconds before getting back on their feet.
Meanwhile, the Oilers continued their push for the tying goal. Leon Draisaitl fired two shots toward the net, but both were blocked by Canucks center Elias Pettersson.
Once McDavid and Garland found their footing, McDavid retaliated by throwing a cross-check to Garland’s head, sending the Canucks forward to the ice. The incident quickly escalated, drawing a crowd of players and multiple shoving matches.
On the periphery of the scrum, Myers and Bouchard were engaged in a battle of their own before Myers delivered a high cross-check to Bouchard.
According to the NHL rulebook, a match penalty is given “on any player who deliberately attempts to injure or who deliberately injures an opponent in any manner.” Both McDavid and Myers will face hearings with NHL Player Safety to determine any further action.
Reactions from Both Sides
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch was critical of Garland’s actions before McDavid’s cross-check, suggesting that frustration played a role in McDavid’s behavior.
“We’re down one goal, and the best player in the league is getting held for 15 seconds,” Knoblauch told reporters after the game. “There’s frustration that’s allowed to happen.”
On the other hand, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet kept his comments brief after his team held on for the win. “I haven’t looked at the video,” he said. “Obviously, there was a couple of match penalties, so we’ll have to take a look at that. It’s out of our control. It’s the league’s stuff.”
McDavid’s Controversial History
McDavid has found himself at the center of several controversial moments recently. On January 13, in a game against the Los Angeles Kings, McDavid was the recipient of a slew foot from Adrian Kempe, for which Kempe was fined $5,000. Then, in Edmonton’s game against the Minnesota Wild on January 17, McDavid elbowed Marcus Johansson, causing Johansson to leave the game. Jake Middleton, a defenseman for the Wild, expressed his frustration over the no-call, stating, “I don’t care if it’s the best player in the world.”
McDavid’s history also includes a two-game suspension in February 2019 for an illegal check on Nick Leddy of the New York Islanders.
Myers’ Suspension History
As for Tyler Myers, this incident would add to his suspension history. Myers was suspended three games in 2012 for boarding Scott Gomez of the Montreal Canadiens, and he was handed another three-game suspension in 2014 for a high hit on Dainius Zubrus of the New Jersey Devils.
The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks game ended in a dramatic and violent fashion, with both Connor McDavid and Tyler Myers facing hearings with NHL Player Safety. The tension-filled game highlighted the physicality and frustration that can build up in a tight contest. With McDavid’s history of controversial incidents and Myers’ suspension track record, the outcome of their hearings will be closely watched.
