“Taking it in your hands is good,” Former NHL star SHOCKINGLY defends Connor McDavid for cross-checking Conor Garland in late scrum during Oilers-Canucks game
Connor McDavid delivered a brutal cross-check to Conor Garland in the dying moments of the Oilers-Canucks game and was ejected on Saturday.
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Connor McDavid and Conor Garland (Image via Yardbarker/Sportsnet/X)
On Saturday, tempers flared up in the final few moments of the Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks game as Connor McDavid got into a late scrum with Conor Garland. The forward would deliver a brutal cross-check on him and was ejected from the game. A former NHL star has shockingly backed him and was happy to see him take actions into his own hands.
McDavid, the Oilers captain, is not known for fighting. However, in this game late on, he got into a tangle with Garland after the Canucks star pinned him down in the dying seconds as the Oilers chased the game.
After getting up to his feet, McDavid would lose his cool and deliver a brutal cross-check on Garland. Despite less than two seconds remaining on the clock, the 28-year-old was removed from the game by the officials.
The decision to remove him sparked a wide debate on social media. While some demanded him to be suspended for that, many backed him and pointed out the fact that Garland had pinned him down.
A video regarding this incident was shared by a NHL analyst Mike Rupp who asked whether they were people who did not have a problem with McDavid’s actions. Former NHL star Chris Pronger would react to this and left a comment.
The ex-NHLer claimed that he loved it and claimed that he (McDavid) should do this often, just not to the level of getting suspended. He further added that taking matter into your hands is good.
Actually love it. Needs to do this more often maybe not to the level of suspension like this but it will give him some extra space. Teams key on taking time and space away from him and try to frustrate him. Taking it into your own hands is good … sometimes
Chris Pronger on X
Actually love it. Needs to do this more often maybe not to the level of suspension like this but it will give him some extra space. Teams key on taking time and space away from him and try to frustrate him. Taking it into your own hands is good … sometimes
— Chris Pronger (@chrispronger) January 19, 2025
Connor McDavid to have Player Safety hearing regarding cross-check incident
While fighting and throwing punches in NHL is common, cross-checking someone usually leads to a Player Safety hearing. Connor McDavid will now undergo this meeting with the Department of Player Safety on Monday afternoon.
The DoPS informed about this on X on Sunday night. Later the body announced the date and time of the hearing.
Connor McDavid’s hearing will be held tomorrow afternoon.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 19, 2025
McDavid though is not the only one who will have a hearing. Canucks star Tyler Myers was involved in a cross-checking incident late in the game. As McDavid-Garland incident took place, a bit away from the group of players, Myers cross-checked Evan Bouchard.
Tyler Myers’ hearing will be held tomorrow afternoon.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 19, 2025
They two of them now face potential suspension from the DoPS. In his 10-year career, McDavid has only been suspended once. He was handed a two-game ban for an illegal check on Nick Leddy against the New York Islanders in February 2019.
Meanwhile, Myers has been suspended three times before. It remains to be seen what decision the DoPS now takes.
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Vinay Dave
(1764 Articles Published)