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In the third period Saturday, Matheson checked
Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson into the boards, then
slammed Pettersson into the ice. No penalty was called on the
ice in a game Vancouver won 3-2.
Pettersson, a rookie, wound up with a concussion, and he will
miss at least two games, Vancouver general manager Jim Benning
told Sportsnet on Monday.
The NHL Department of Player Safety issued its decision after a
hearing with Matheson.
In a video explaining the ruling, a league spokesman said, "What
causes this incident to rise to the level of supplemental
discipline is that it encompasses two separate and distinct
acts. First, Matheson pins Pettersson to the boards in a legal
and effective defensive maneuver. Then with the puck long
separated from the area, and Pettersson unable to defend
himself, Matheson drives him directly downward and into the ice
with force, causing an injury. ...
"Matheson intentionally slammed Pettersson directly to the ice
intentionally and dangerously. ... This is not a hockey play."
Matheson will lose $52,419.36 in salary due to the suspension,
which will keep him out of games at Philadelphia on Tuesday and
at Washington on Friday. He will be eligible to return when the
Panthers play host to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.
Matheson, 24, has no points and four penalty minutes through
three games this season. He is in his fourth year in the NHL,
all with Florida.
Pettersson, 19, has five goals and three assists through his
first five NHL games. He was the fifth overall pick in the 2017
draft out of Sweden.
--Field Level Media
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