Vancouver Canucks: Thoughts on Mike Matheson’s Hit on Elias Pettersson

The Vancouver Canucks beat the Florida Panthers 3-2 but fans were not happy, including myself. 19-year-old rookie Elias Pettersson was slammed to the ice and was injured and nobody on the Canucks did anything about it.

Mike Matheson’s hit on Elias Pettersson broke Canucks fans hearts. Last night , the Vancouver Canucks beat the Florida Panthers 3-2.  However, it felt like a loss.  The hit and the fact there was no retribution after infuriated Canucks fans.

In the middle of the third period, Elias Pettersson danced around Florida defenceman Mike Matheson. Matheson sure felt embarrassed by this as he then tried to hit the 19-year-old into the boards and then slammed him into the ice WWE style.

Fans reaction to the hit

Elias Pettersson has captured the hearts of Canucks Nation even after just five games. So, it is no surprise that fans were angry. Many called for Mike Matheson’s head.

Fan reaction to no retribution

Many fans were expecting guys like Erik Gudbranson or Antoine Roussel to go after Matheson. That didn’t happen and fans were even more ticked off.

My thoughts on the hit

I don’t understand why Mike Matheson had to slam Pettersson to the ice like the he was the Hulk smashing Loki in The Avengers. It was unnecessary and uncalled for. It seemed Matheson didn’t  like the fact he was schooled by a 19-year-old. He didn’t have to slam him to the ice! He is going to receive a call from the league tomorrow and should receive a suspension.

Matheson should have realized Pettersson is just a kid playing in his 5th NHL game. I still don’t get why there was no penalty on the play. Not even a minor! I know officiating is a tough but that should have been called. As for Matheson, it was immature and dangerous. I can understand that it’s embarrassing, but he didn’t have to do that.

My thoughts on no retribution/revenge

Mike Matheson’s Hit on Elias Pettersson was not the only infuriating thing about last night’s game. The fact that there was no response to the hit  is just as bad.

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I don’t understand why general manager Jim Benning had to sign gritty players like Gudbranson, Jay Beagle (I know, he got injured too) and Roussel to not do what was promised. It didn’t even have to be the tough guys. Anyone could have went after Matheson. Remember when Ryan Miller went after Matt Martin because he went after Troy Stecher?

It didn’t even have to be a fight or a scrum. Someone could have thrown a few hits on Matheson or just chirp him. The Canucks had their 19-year-old superstar slammed to the ice and they did nothing. I get they wanted to win and that is why they get paid but you can seek retribution and still find a way to win.

For at least a minute they could have forgotten about the two points and stood up for their teammate. Sure, they will go after him next time but that’s a long time from now (The Vancouver Canucks play Florida on January 19th at Rogers Arena). Mike Matheson’s hit on Elias Pettersson was bad but no one doing anything about it was bad too.

Sunday notes

According to GM Jim Benning, Pettersson feels a little bit better from last night’s hit.  It looks like Jay Beagle will be out up to six weeks after blocking a shot in the third period of last night’s game. With both Pettersson and Beagle out, the Canucks will call-up a centre, likely Adam Gaudette.

What’s next for the Canucks

The Canucks continue the road trip against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. Puck drop is at 4:00 p.m.