Vancouver Canucks forward and 5th overall selection Elias Pettersson started the season off strong, notching 8 points in 5 games. Unfortunately for the young forward, he’s expected to be out of action due to a concussion.
Pettersson received the concussion after being slammed on the ice by defenceman Michael Matheson during the Canucks battle against the Panthers during their weekend series.
Bob McKenzie of TSN reported that Pettersson could be out a minimum of 7-10 days with the concussion symptoms. Pettersson will stay with the team during their road trip but will be evaluated once the club returns to Vancouver.
Elias Pettersson (concussion) remains with VAN on their road trip (PIT Tues and WPG Thursday) but will not be seeing any game action for a minimum of seven to 10 days and perhaps longer depending on his recovery from symptoms.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 15, 2018
Matheson was not penalized on the play and no Canucks’ teammates held Matheson accountable for the questionable hit.
Canucks Head Coach Travis Green commented on hit, saying “That’s a dirty play. The league is trying to protect the good young players and that’s just a dirty play.”
The hit was met with tremendous uproar from fans across social media. The NHL Player Safety account on Twitter sent out that Matherson will have a hearing, but no decision has been made.
Mike Matheson’s disciplinary hearing with @NHLPlayerSafety was held at 10 a.m. today.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 15, 2018
Florida’s Mike Matheson will have a hearing tomorrow for interference/ unsportsmanlike conduct on Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 14, 2018
