The NHL levied a pair of controversial suspensions on Monday.
Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid earned a three-game ban for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland in the head during their tussle on Saturday. Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers received the same punishment for his cross-check to the head of Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard.
McDavid’s suspension was particularly polarizing amongst fans and around the league, as his violent response resulted from a long tilt in which he was interfered with by Garland.
Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby is one of a few players who have been in the 28-year-old’s position — having been on the receiving end of plenty of cheap shots — and responded to the outcome in an interview with Josh Yohe of The Athletic.
“Sometimes, your emotions get the best of you,” Crosby said. “It’s a physical sport. The one time you see that, you probably don’t see the nine hits that Connor took. Those ones are the ones that never make the highlights. When you retaliate, you make the highlights. Whether it’s him or anyone else, it’s an emotional game. That’s going to happen sometimes. If there were calmer or cooler circumstances, he probably wouldn’t have done that.”
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McDavid did not appeal the suspension.
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