With the current NHL season heating up, the Edmonton Oilers were up against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. The two Canadian teams were ready to face off against each other, and for both of them, this was an important match as they needed it for the standings, with each having a different purpose. However, the ice rink transformed into a wrestling mat when Connor McDavid dangerously cross-checked a Canucks’ right winger, resulting in a match suspension for the Oilers’ captain.

McDavid is losing his cool? It was completely unexpected and totally off many NHL fans’ bucket lists for the ongoing season. However, there was a complete divide in the opinion of many pundits about this incident on the ice rink. And the moment a Canadian TV broadcaster defended the Oilers’ #97, fans also lost their cool in the process.

The ice rink was about to melt

In the NHL, an avid fan knows that two players can have a bout. Despite the potential consequences, fans often demand fights on the rink, and these players can use their fists to send messages to their opponents. However, what Connor McDavid did was completely different in the game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks. In the third period of the game at Rogers Arena, the Canucks were leading their home match 3-2. However, in the final seconds of the game, the puck came dangerously close to the Canucks’ goaltender, Thatcher Demko, who was making every effort to prevent a tie.

The Canucks were performing well when they sent the puck into the middle of the rink, but McDavid of the Oilers intercepted it. Earlier in the game, Tyler Myers of the Canucks also received a match penalty for cross-checking Evan Bouchard of the Oilers, contributing to the rising tensions between the teams. The #97 was looking to find a gap, but in no time the puck was taken from him after the Canucks’ Conor Garland gave it a tap.

However, at this precise moment, not only did Garland fall onto the rink, but McDavid also tumbled onto him. The crowd went wild as the two ice hockey stars were trying to get up on their skates. However, the captain of the Oilers had a different plan in mind and was exerting all his strength on his opponent. During this process, tensions escalated between the two NHL stars, leading to the inevitable confrontation of a wrestling match.

The moment Garland got back up, he grabbed McDavid and pulled him down on the ice rink. The Canucks right winger kept interrupting the #97 of the Oilers, but by the time McDavid got out of his clutches, he gave Garland a cross-check on his face. That was indeed dangerous! And the crowd? For some time, no one at the Rogers Arena could focus on what was going on. However, looking at the footage, Sid Seixeiro on X shared his thoughts, stating, “Connor McDavid’s the best player in the world. If the refs aren’t going to stop this from happening I’m fine with how 97 reacted. 100% fine with it.”

The Canadian TV broadcaster completely agreed with the cross-check that McDavid gave to his Canucks’ opponent. The Oilers captain also received a minor match suspension. However, after the game, many rumors have loomed in for the #97, and it’s not looking good. Indeed, many are demanding to suspend him for more matches, and it can significantly affect the Oilers in the season with around 20 games remaining until the playoffs. However, as soon as the Canadian TV broadcaster’s words made their way onto the internet, people began to criticize him, expressing no sympathy for McDavid’s actions on the rink.

Fans are not happy with Connor McDavid

For the fans, sometimes fights on the rink are exciting, but they never want a certain player to absolutely harm the other. For which, the NHL has rules when it comes to these rink bouts. However, what Connor McDavid did raised concerns among the NHL community, as one fan stated, “Sits on the guy. Punches him in the back of the head while he is face down on the ice (not even legal in MMA). Elbows him in the face. Then cross checks him in the face. Dirtiest player for sure.” Similarly, another fan pointed out, stating, “Disagree. Can’t go for the head. That’s super dangerous. Cross check to the chest, shoulder, back, whatever – send the message hard. Can’t go for the head though.” Another dissatisfied fan stated, “This is ridiculous. The NHL takes no measures to protect its stars, unlike the NBA.”

McDavid is no stranger to the fans, having 20 goals in the current season. Indeed, he’s a vital member of the Edmonton Oilers, and anything that circulates around him will affect the whole team. While the match suspension became the topic of discussion, fear still looms upon the Oiler fans as they might miss out on McDavid in the next games if the NHL decides to harshen the penalty on the Canadian. For now, things are uncertain, but what the future holds for McDavid still stays dark.

After watching all this, a veteran fan of the sport is just dissatisfied, stating, “This is one of many reasons I watch very little hockey anymore. There are to many similarities to wrestling, and not clean hard fast hockey, which is enjoyable.” Another fan fires their shots at McDavid, stating, “I’m fine with him sticking up for himself, but you can’t cross-check someone in the head regardless of who you are.” 

McDavid indeed is popular in the NHL, but the way he cross-checked his opponent today got a mixed reaction from the crowd. Many are dissatisfied with his actions on the ice rink and are already demanding a multiple-match ban for the Canadian ice hockey star. He serves as the captain of the Oilers, and the team could face significant challenges in the upcoming fixtures if they lose one of their star players.