NHL announces McDavid and Myers suspensions for Oilers Canucks incident
The NHL department of Player Safety has suspended both Connor McDavid and Tyler Myers for three games.
Both McDavid and Myers were given automatic hearings after they received match penalties for their actions in Saturday's game between the Oilers and Canucks.
Connor McDavid will forfeit $195K in salary, while Tyler Myers will forfeit $46,875.
NHL suspends Connor McDavid, Tyler Myers for cross checks
There's no argument from either fanbase really that both players deserved to be suspended for their high and forceful cross checks to their opponents.
McDavid was totally mobbed by Connor Garland in a ridiculous play, but he delivered a retaliatory strike that is rightfully a suspension for the NHL. McDavid clearly snapped after the lack of a penalty call.
However, there was some speculation that Myers could receive a longer suspension than McDavid, given his cross check was totally unprovoked.
Myers delivered a seemingly random cross check to the face of Bouchard, who had only just skated near him.
At the end of the day, with two similar cross checks, it's understandable that both players were given the same sentence - but the NHL didn't consider context.
NHL fans react to Connor McDavid and Tyler Myers suspensions
Three games for each player does seem a little harsh though, given the previous precedents for cross checks. The most prolific example is Auston Matthews being suspended two games for a similar check on Rasmus Dahlin.
Some fans were surprised to see both McDavid and Myers get the extra game, but the NHL could be cracking down on a high-profile event.
The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks play each other again in just a just a few days, January 23, which will surely become a must-watch.
The NHL surely took that into consideration with their decision to suspend both players for the upcoming rematch.
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