The decision has come down, and the Florida Panthers will be without Michael Matheson for the next few days. The Department of Player Safety has suspended Matheson two games for interference and unsportsmanlike conduct in regards to the incident with Vancouver Canucks rookie Elias Pettersson on Saturday night. As the accompanying video explains:
This is not a hockey play. What causes this incident to rise to the level of supplemental discipline, is that it encompasses two separate and distinct acts. First, Matheson pins Pettersson to the boards in a legal and effective defensive maneuver. Then with the puck long separated from the area, and Pettersson unable to defend himself, Matheson drives him directly downward and into the ice with force, causing an injury.
This is the first suspension for Matheson, who does not have a history of dirty play. His defense of the situation included stating that Pettersson’s “lightness” surprised him, per agent Kent Hughes, but nevertheless the dangerous act of throwing him down is still worthy of a suspension. Matheson forfeits just over $52K of his $3MM salary for the year. Matheson will miss contests against the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals and will be eligible to return to the Panthers’ lineup on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings.
Meanwhile, Pettersson has entered the league’s concussion protocol and the Canucks expect that he will miss seven to ten days. While some may feel that the Matheson’s punishment doesn’t fit the crime, seeing as Pettersson was concussed on a purposeful play by the Panthers defenseman, a seven-day absence would only cost the young center three games. Considering Matheson maintains that he did not intend to hurt Pettersson, this seems like a fair response to the incident.
Travis Green, your thoughts?
only two games for injury someone…?
marchand only got 5 for his elbow on johansson, which was after his track record was already tainted, and that elbow also gave johansson a concussion so i’m not surprised it’s only two especially because matheson is not a dirty player.
They give out suspensions for injuries?
if one does injure a player the severity of the suspension is increased
I miss the good old days. If this is a suspension Chris Pronger would have been suspended every 20 games
Problem is Chris Pronger probably can’t remember the good old days
Two games for throwing a hit. Shouldn’t have got any games for that!
You won’t be saying that when/if “light” marner gets body slammed
I highly doubt Marner would put himself in a position to be slammed like that. If he did I guarantee you someone on the Leafs would do something about it.
Your attacking me for my handle regarding it being Marner#16. Your team is that much is a state of a rebuild that you have to take a shot at me. It’s pretty sad they state the Canucks are in with that being Horvat being your best player. I’m not taking a shot at him. Bo is a good two way player and also a former London Knight like Marner.
Lastly when your taught hitting in hockey your told to finish your check. Of course unless the check is near the board where’s you would be hitting someone from behind as that’s dirty. The hit on your “boy” Elias was clean he got his shoulder caught up on the boards which caused his body to turn. The Canadian/American game is much more physical then what he’s used to. It sad to see him get hurt but it was nothing more then a hockey play. I don’t believe Matheson was penalizied on the play.
Gonna be a long year for your Canucks give Bo my best!
It was not the hit that got him suspended. After the hit, Pettersson got picked up and thrown to the ice. That is not a hockey play. League even said so. Smh….lots….
Shouldn’t have been suspended Elias needs to fill out his frame and add some weight so he can take a hit.
Maybe the hit was kinda on extreme level , but the slam to the ice from Matheson who goes 210+ compared to Pettersson’s may be 160. That was extreme measure plus intent to injure is contributing factor of suspension,
He’s a bit lucky it was only 2 imo. There was no reason to drive him towards the ice practically head-first. Dirty play. I’d be surprised if the kid only misses a wk
Gerald
Peterson is listed at 176lbs
Matheson listed at 193lbs
Both according to hockey db
Please do your homework before sounding foolish.
There wasn’t an intent to injure. Only intent was to finish what every Canadian hockey player has been taught since a kid learned hockey finish a check !