Introduction
Connor McDavid is not happy. The Edmonton Oilers captain spoke out after a scary play on Thursday night. The Oilers lost 5-4 to the Anaheim Ducks. But the score is not the main story. The main story is a hard hit on McDavid early in the game.
What Happened
The hit happened midway through the first period. McDavid was rushing toward the net at full speed. Ducks defenceman Drew Helleson knocked him into the goalpost. A defenceman is a player whose main job is to stop the other team from scoring. McDavid stayed down for a moment, then got up and had words with Helleson.
McDavid briefly left the bench after the hit. But he came back and finished the game. He played 24 minutes and 25 seconds. He scored a short-handed goal and had three assists. A short-handed goal is a goal scored while your team has fewer players on the ice. Even so, the Oilers lost the game 5-4.
Soon after the hit, McDavid’s teammate Vasily Podkolzin stepped in. Podkolzin fought Helleson and landed several hard punches. The officials ejected Podkolzin from the game. He got a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct. A game misconduct means a player must leave the game for good. McDavid said he had never seen that call before.
Why People Are Talking About It
McDavid rarely shows this much emotion after a game. He is usually calm when he talks to reporters. This time, he spoke with real feeling. He said the play hit close to home for him. In 2019, he was driven into the net in a similar play. That time, he hurt his knee and missed much of the summer.
McDavid also said the net is just as dangerous as the end boards. The end boards are the walls at each end of the rink. He wishes players treated the net the same way. He said that if he hit Helleson into the end boards at top speed, it would be a five-game suspension. A suspension means a player is not allowed to play for a set number of games.
Fans are also talking about the fight. Many fans think Podkolzin did the right thing by standing up for his captain. Others say the hit was a normal hockey play. The debate is part of why the story is trending. You can read our recap of the Ducks’ 5-4 win over the Oilers here.
What Happens Next
The Oilers will keep playing their schedule. McDavid is on a 17-game point streak. A point streak means a player has scored at least one point in every game in a row. He has 40 points in just 16 games this season. The team will hope he stays healthy.
The two teams will meet again on December 20. That game may have some extra fire. The season series is tied 1-1. Fans will watch to see how both teams play.
Final Thoughts
This was a rare moment from McDavid. He is the best player in the world, but he is also a person. He said it himself: people think he is a robot, but he has feelings too. The debate about the hit will go on. But one thing is clear: McDavid wants the net to be a safer place.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
Sources: TSN – McDavid fumes over ‘dangerous’ play that drove him into net and Sportsnet – Oilers’ McDavid passionate in response to ‘dangerous’ hit.