Panthers' Oliver Ekman-Larsson gets ripped apart by fans for giving up on Game 5
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers on X
In every sport, every athlete knows that you play until the whistle goes. Last night Oliver Ekman-Larsson didn't do that, and he's taking some serious heat.
Before McDavid's empty net goal, Matthew Tkachuk made a desperate diving effort to clear the puck. McDavid pounced right away for the rebound, but Ekman-Larsson practically skated a lap and was ready to go home.
It was a brutal look on Ekman-Larsson, especially after Tkachuk successfully made the desperation play to clear the puck. Perhaps if OEL was quicker on the back check and still locked into the game, the Panthers could've recovered the puck and made one more attempt up the ice. Instead, OEL's lack of effort on that play sealed the win for Edmonton.
Fans are calling for Ekman-Larsson to be benched for this brutal lack of effort, despite the fact he's been an important player for the Panthers on this run.
After coming close to guaranteeing a Stanley Cup Win on home ice, the Florida Panthers got stunned when the Oilers went up by three in the scoreboard. The Oilers were able to hold the lead and successfully drag the series back to Alberta, where things could get very interesting now. Not long ago the Oilers were totally out of hope, but not it looks like they really believe in making a miracle comeback.
Game 6 on Friday night in Edmonton will be a must-watch for any hockey fan. The Oilers will look to defend their home ice from seeing Matthew Tkachuk lift the cup in Edmonton, trying to force one more cross country flight to a do-or-die Game 7. All the belief is there from the players and fans, now they just need to continue to play their game.
Source: Sportsnet
WHAT AN INSANE WAY TO END GAME 5
| POLL | ||
19 JUIN | 280 ANSWERS Panthers' Oliver Ekman-Larsson gets ripped apart by fans for giving up on Game 5 Do you think Ekman-Larsson should be benched in Game 6 for this play? | ||
| Yes, it's unacceptable | 136 | 48.6 % |
| No, they need him, but needs to be better | 126 | 45 % |
| See Results | 18 | 6.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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