Pietrangelo suspended one game for slash Draisaitl calls 'really, really dangerous'
Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Alex Pietrangelo will sit for one game for slashing Oilers sniper Leon Draisaitl.
The NHL announced his suspension just after 6 p.m. MT on Thursday. A video from the league noted that Pietrangelo had never been suspended in his 952 game career.
Pietrangelo wound up, his stick far above his head, and slashed Draisaitl with 1:30 left in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday night at Rogers Place.
The Oilers forward did not have the puck.
Connor McDavid went right after Pietrangelo on the ice and in his post-game media scrum.
The Edmonton Oilers captain threw a few punches at the defenceman and called for him to be suspended.
"You'd like to see it reviewed, for sure. I would like to see it suspended," McDavid told reporters after the game.
"It's as intent to injure as you can get. Time, score clock, all play a factor. He comes from over his own head and, you know, places it just under Leon's chin."
Draisaitl was down on the ice for a few seconds but did not appear to be seriously hurt. He clarified Thursday that the slash got him in the arm, not the face.
"It was ugly. We'll see what happens, but it's alright," he told reporters.
"That's a really, really dangerous slash. I think those are things that have nothing to do with hockey or the game. You can seriously injure someone with a slash like that."
Pietrangelo was given a five-minute major and kicked out of the game.
Just before 9 a.m. MT, NHL Player Safety announced that he would have a hearing with league officials.
"I would not define it as a hockey play. And I'd leave it at that. I'm sure people will take a look at it," Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft said.
Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy wouldn't comment directly on the slash.
"My thoughts, you know, don't matter, to be honest with you. At the end of day he's got a hearing," he said.
"He's had no history of suspension or being called to the carpet by the league. So, Petro is a pretty honest player every day. I can attest to that. We love how he plays the game for us."
On the ice, McDavid and Pietrangelo both threw punches and wrestled with each other before linesmen quickly broke it up.
The Oilers captain said that when it comes to getting revenge, his team has higher priorities.
"We don't love it. We responded, but, like I said, we got bigger fish to fry than to worry about something like that," McDavid said.
The Oilers won the game 4-1 to tie the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
The NHL announced Thursday afternoon that Oilers' defenceman Darnell Nurse is suspended for Game 5 for instigating a fight with Nicolas Hague at the end of game.
Game 5 will be played in Las Vegas on Friday at 8 p.m. MT.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Walking pneumonia is surging in Canada. Is it peaking now?
CTVNews.ca spoke with various medical experts to find out the latest situation with the typically mild walking pneumonia in their area and whether parents should be worried.
'Her shoe got sucked into the escalator': Toronto family warns of potential risk of wearing Crocs
A Toronto family is speaking out after their 10-year-old daughter's Crocs got stuck in an escalator, ripping the entire toe area of the clog off.
Prime Minister Trudeau attends Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Toronto with family
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is a Swiftie. His office confirmed to CTV News Toronto that he and members of his family are attending the penultimate show of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in Toronto on Friday evening.
The Thriftmas Special: The benefits of second-hand holiday shopping
The holidays may be a time for family, joy and togetherness, but they can also be hard on the wallet.
Afraid of losing the U.S.-Canada trade pact, Mexico alters its laws and removes Chinese parts
Mexico has been taking a bashing lately for allegedly serving as a conduit for Chinese parts and products into North America, and officials here are afraid a re-elected Donald Trump or politically struggling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could try to leave their country out of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement.
Minister calls GST holiday, $250 cheques for 18 million Canadians 'a targeted approach'
Women and Gender Equality and Youth Minister Marci Ien is calling the federal government's proposed GST holiday and $250 rebate cheques a 'targeted approach' to address affordability concerns.
Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque?
The Canadian government has unveiled its plans for a sweeping GST/HST pause on select items during the holiday period. The day after the announcement, questions remain on how the whole thing will work.
NEW Thinking about taking an 'adult gap year'? Here's what experts say you should know
Canadian employees are developing an appetite for an 'adult gap year': a meaningful break later in life to refocus, refresh and indulge in something outside their daily routine, according to experts.
UN talks in disarray as a rough draft deal for climate cash is rejected by developing nations
As nerves frayed and the clock ticked, negotiators from rich and poor nations were huddled in one room Saturday during overtime United Nations climate talks to try to hash out an elusive deal on money for developing countries to curb and adapt to climate change.