Matheson will have hearing after hit on Pettersson
NEW YORK — Panthers defenceman Mike Matheson will have a hearing with the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety on Monday as a result of his hit on Vancouver Canucks rookie Elias Pettersson on Saturday night in Florida.
Pettersson was taken hard into the end boards and slammed to the ice by Matheson in the third period of Vancouver’s 3-2 win. There was no penalty on the play. The 19-yearold Swedish centre appeared woozy afterward and needed assistance to get to the locker-room. He did not return to the game.
In a post on its official Twitter feed on Sunday, the Department of Player Safety said Matheson would have a hearing for “interference/unsportsmanlike conduct” on Pettersson.
After the game, Canucks head coach Travis Green called the hit “a dirty play.”
Pettersson has eight points (five goals, three assists) in five games this season. He was selected by the Canucks with the fifth overall pick in last year’s NHL entry draft.
Vancouver centre Jay Beagle also left the game with an apparent hand/wrist injury after blocking a shot.
A team spokesperson said the Canucks were travelling Sunday and that injury updates would likely be provided on Monday.
The Canucks continue their road trip Tuesday in Pittsburgh.