Connor McDavid will hate every moment he can’t be on the ice with the Edmonton Oilers during his suspension.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since the NHL handed a three-game suspension for a cross check to the head of Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland, McDavid didn’t have much to add Wednesday when asked about his hearing with the league.
“The league made their decision I don’t necessarily agree with it,” McDavid said. “I’m not saying there shouldn’t have been any penalty or a suspension. I just think it might’ve been a little harsh. I understand their decision and have to move on.”
McDavid decided he would not appeal his suspension, meaning he will be out until Jan. 27 when the Oilers host Seattle.
McDavid’s suspension was the result of an incident on Saturday night. The Oilers were down by one goal against the Canucks in the final minutes of the game, with the visiting team looking to score a late equalizer. During that time, McDavid was tangled up with Garland, who appeared to be holding the Oilers captain down in the high slot.
The two continued to jostle and McDavid, appearing frustrated that Garland was able to interfere with him without being penalized, laid a cross-check up high to Garland.
“I’m just trying to tie the game, not looking to engage with him,” McDavid answered when asked about the lead up to the play. “There’s a lot of holding, he holds my head down for a bit. I can’t have that reaction. It’s not the reaction that I’m proud of or anyone wants to see out of me and I understand that.
“Of course there’s a lot of (contact) going on there and maybe the whole (incident) is avoided by the blow of a whistle.”
McDavid did say that he wants to see more consistency when it comes to penalties being called.
He also said that he has a lot of respect for officials and how tough their jobs are.
“A penalty in the first is a penalty in the third, and a penalty in October is a penalty in April,” McDavid said.
