Elias Pettersson Exits Game After Getting Slammed To The Ice By Matheson 

And nobody to defend him .... wow

Canucks teammates need to stand up for their rookies man, this happened last year too

Intent is clear, just by observing Matheson’s body language leading up to the incident. Shortly after being beat on the outside his attention left the play completely and he was solely focused on Pettersson. It was a clean hit, he separated Pettersson from the puck, and had it been an objective hockey play that would have been the end of it. After the hit, he clearly drove Pettersson to the ice. This cannot be quantified by anything other than malicious intent. We do not need this garbage in the game.

When not a single teammate defend you when your the biggest prospect of the team... Well Vancouver might just stay at the bottom of the ranking.

Way to show your strength, Matheson, slamming a 160 lb kid to the floor for dekeing ya.

I love how Virtanen got an unsportsmanlike penalty and mike matheson didn't. What a joke.

I hope he's ok. You never like to see someone stumbling getting up like that

He grabbed him and slammed him downwards onto the ice, this is an extremely dangerous play. Since Matheson is so much bigger then Pettersson had he dropped him face first instead of to the side he could have been knocked out cold, or worse (eg. spinal/head injury). NHL needs to have a look at this play, Matheson made a clean check, but his follow-through was excessive.

Real p**sy move by Matheson throwing him to the ground like that...smh

That was a disgraceful play by Matheson. Straight up. Although I'm a Flames fan, and God knows I was begging for the Flames players to start giving Pettersson a tougher ride on the season opener, I consider this less than a hit and more of an intent to injure. Hopefully Pettersson is fine.

sticking your stick between someone's legs to can-open them while you body slam with a pushing motion to the face, however, meets the definition for both tripping and roughing. a Bertuzzi-esque body slam of someone's head (with your fist targeting Pettersson's neck) with malicious intent, meant to get revenge and hurt the player for undressing you, meets the definition for a match penalty.

That was just sickening to watch him stumble like that

Where’s General Zod when u need him

wow ... can-opening his legs and body slamming a guy's head into the ice after a play was over? ... dirty AF where the heck was Gudbranson? why wasn't he breaking Matheson's cheek bones like he did to CGY's Hamonic...

Coming back 4 years later and Pettersson got his revenge!

No one did anything. Stand up for your franchise player. It's a good thing I wasn't at the game because I'd be spending the night in jail.

I was ok with the first hit but slamming the players down with the puck already out of the picture. Poor response from the Canucks - at least someone could have finished his check (kept it clean) on Matheson next shift - guess what would have been the response if it was Gaudreau or Pasterank who were thrown down?

Nhl needs enforcers again, one would never get away with a play like this on Gretzky, or yzerman, or any superstar player back in the day. Nhl needs guys like Bob probert, tie domi, etc

that wasn’t finishing a check... that was completely unnecessary and either a lack of good decision making or intent to injure

That's such a dirty play! That's not finishing a check... He threw him down

Pettersson must not say much in the locker room, his team never defends him and im coming back to this 4 years later

when you know he outclasses you so you get mad like a 12 year old..

Could Matheson be suspended for intent to injure? That was premeditated and dirty. Hope Petterson is okay

And not one player came to help him or stand up for him?? Wow

Yeah your best players get liberties taken on him but you do nothing in return okay Vancouver,

Just saying, does anyone else think that Elias’ helmet looks absolutely huge on his head?

that was a bit much by matheson. Wouldn't be surprised if there is a little bit of supplemental discipline here.

And today Petey got his revenge by embarrassing Matheson for the OT winner. Revenge isn't always swift, but boy is it often sweet.

So Matheson says in an interview that he has watched the video many times and cannot see what he did wrong. Thats like Joachim Low watching video of himself scratching his crotch and sniffing his fingers and saying..."I did not!!!"

And Panther’s coach said he was just “finishing his check”. What a tool.

It wouldn't be the Vancouver Canucks if this wasn't going to happen.

Brutal . Wilson got 20 (deserved) so I think this should be 10 games for Matheson. He shoved him he almost head first into the ice. The way his head whipped back and forth is not a good sign. I hope he is ok, or gets better quickly.

He speared him before slamming him, brutal

I love how Matheson stated it wasnt intentional. But the reply clearly suggests it. He slams the guy against the glass, which was fine because it was the natural motion. But after the glass hit, it is so very obvious matheson slams pettersson into the ice. From my point of view, a 5 game suspension was necessary. 2 doesnt get the point across, it’s basically a slap on the wrist. A 4 or 5 match suspension will get the point across, itll tell matheson to not do it or real consequences will occur.

Marchand should be suspended for that one... smh dirty af

That's a body slam - not a hockey play.

Wouldn't call that a hit. That's a throw

man got deked out and then got salty

The revenge was sweet yesterday.

Bit of an extra rub out

did your lineup get scared seeing hamonic get a broken jaw sticking up for a rookie? this play was way worse than guddy's hit on dube, and absolutely no response. also, matheson should be embarrassed. gets owned by a talented kid, even takes a look at him right after, then goes right at him with his back turned when the puck comes back, drills him from behind then throws him to the ground. good job you plug.

Florida vs Vancouver is starting to turn into a rivalry. First you had that thing that happened a couple years ago where Vancouver ended Florida’s 12 game win streak in OT when both benches and coaches erupted onto the ice and now you have this.

Oh man that just makes me so frickin because finally the canucks got a good rookie that’s gonna he a star In the future and then this happens 😐

1.) How does no teammate drop the gloves for Pettersson? How do other, low-IQ NHL players respond to this if they feel they can get away with a body slam like that? 2.) I watch some NFL, where guys have to by rule, and are trying not to destroy each other, and you can see a lot of brotherhood amongst players. Too bad the NHL is full of amateur old boy's club guys. Which reminds me, why do I waste my time watching all these sports? I guess once I'm healed from my broken leg, back to doing sports and not watching. The last time I quit watching was when Keith crosschecked Daniel Sedin...just not worth my time and emotions to watch garbage when I can do something better.

Yikes that looks pretty brutal despite there was already collision with the numbers. I'm not a fan of fighting in hockey, but the Canucks really need to send a message ASAP that doing stuff like this to their young stars is not okay.

Tbh if the kid didnt weigh 96 lbs, he wouldnt have gotten thrown done like that. The hit looked bad bc hes so light. That hit happens every game in the nhl. Yes im biased. Im also right.

Petey gets his revenge.. 4 years later and we love to see it !!

That’s exactly why fights should still be in the league

Wilson got a 20 game suspencion for a non dirty hit so if this doesn't give 20 games idk what's going on

And all my respect is loss to the panthers intent to injure an already superstar good job Mattheson

That was a vicious attack

😡🤬 Where is the retaliation! He needs to answer for this next this time they play. I miss Lapierre, prime burrows, raffi Torres.

And this right here is why the leauge still needs goons. Guys like Domi and Probert. To look after the rookies and stars on the team.

it was a hit from behind, followed by a can opener stick lift, and then thrown full intensity head first to the ice. That's a few different types of penalty. Followed by a concussion. The player had time to be more careful, obvious intent to injure. If there is no suspension then sign Bertuzzi.

Very classless, if that deke getting him that pissed, he should be playing in nhl. Surely the throwdown with intent to injure will get him some kind of punishment ? Shoudl be a bit of talking to the ref that where standing there too. Not that I think the initial hit was anything special, its the slam down to the ground that is the ugly part. Thats clearly what got Elias brain to spin. Really really ugly.

"Not your normal rub out" - Doc Emrick

In the words of biz “tried to put him through the earths crust” lmaooo 😂

I'm a Canucks fan and really excited about Pettersson but honestly I don't see the big deal about this play. I guess I'm just old school because this shouldn't be a suspension.

I don't think anybody understands that this hit was behind the play and therefore they were concentrating on the puck and not what goes on behind them, but you guys do have a point that team mates should be stuck up for but again it was behind them.

Matheson embarrassed of how bad he is😂😂

0:23 is there a name for this 'song' ?

This derailed Pettersson’s rookie season, and with it the Canucks improvement

Matheson the plug, cant turn without falling. that doesnt mean your job becomes injuring young players. maybe practice not sucking. point proven on the horvat goal.

Matheson punched him hard with the glove on in the face on the takedown if you look close.

The best hit of 2018

NOT A SINGLE CANUCK STANDS UP FOR OUR BEAT PLAYER. SHAKE MY HEAD...

Book your dates, get your checkbooks ready, and preplan your calender for vacation for the suspension. I say just being the big boys and absolutely take this smucks, cowards head off. Jan 13 2019, we better see Bertuzzi v2.

Take it from an Oilers fan, the non-response from the 'nucks bench after this dirty, gutless play is the sort of "team" attitude (lack thereof) that Edmonton had during our decade of darkness (and some say ongoing but that's a topic for a other post). I just wanted to say that's this is a warning sign of bad things either, in the locker room, team identity and cohesiveness, or all of the above.

I cannot believe there was no retaliation for this I think Canucks management had better rethink a few aspects of the roster and put somebody out there that can throw some haymakers when necessary

I'm not a Canucks fan but I do enjoy watching that youngster very exciting for the league. The other guy the guy who hit him I don't even know its name don't care about him and certainly would not pay to go watch and play.

Dudes and Dudettes, I'm 5,5, 120 lbs. I'd be skating hard and trying to get Matheson to answer for what he did to our star player. Pettersson didn't deserved to be man handled. Just cause he's 100 times the player Matheson could ever be. Can't believe there was no call either. The White and Black strips are just for show. Come on now.

Hope he's okay :(

Gritty hockey play, I think its a case of Matheson being so much stronger than Petterson, didn't seem like a dirty play. Shame the Nucks didn't have anyone to retaliate that tho.

Let's see if the NHL has more balls to do something about this than Petterson's teammates.

I put this vid on pause a few times and this is what I saw, #1 Matheson came from the front of net on an angle and put stick between the kids legs and Elias was off balance from the get go.#2 with one skate barely on the ice, and already falling backwards, Matheson has his glove on the kids head all the way to the ice. Watch the follow through and where Matheson's hand ends up.This is up there with nastiest behavior I have seen in the NHL. If he doesn't get 10 games I will be pissed.

Where is Todd Bertuzzi when you need him?

Incapable d'accepter qu'un kid soit plus talentueux que lui. Coup vicieux, digne d'un cro-magnon.

That's why you can't take fighting out of hockey... You can't penalize the guy for being way stronger and utilizing it when he hits, but the kid's teammates should be able to protect him from opponents taking liberties with him.

Is it legal to slam players like that so they hit the ground with more force? Matheson should sit a game if you ask me. Mission was accomplished. Pettersson was rubbed out. No need for the extra slam. Matheson just got marked by all the Swedish players in the league. These dudes protect their own regardless of the team.

Matheson needs to join the Steve Moore club

Did anyone stand up for him after? Not a Canucks' fan but that your potential franchise player right there....

bro got absoulte decked 💀💀💀💀💀

Did someone beat his ass????

Elias, I would've protected you if i was on the ice or even on the bench for that matter

Good. More hits like this will be awesome!

The Player Safety Department has repeatedly proven they don't care about player safety.

I’m not a Canuck Fan at all but The League has to protect its players. Regardless if they’re a star or not

I cant believe that someone can willingly injure someone only because he got deked...

It's Pettersson's parents fault he got hurt. Their genetics are responsible for giving him that giraffe sized neck he's got. The extra whipping action from that double neck of his caused his head to hit so hard.

What was this guy thinking??? He's playing in the NHL not in UFC!!! Wow that was uncalled for to say the least!!!

Bring back Bertuzzi just for the next game against the Panthers.

Yeah if you look close to see he sticks his stick between his legs to make it harder for him to defend himself from being upended. Then when he gets him off the ice he slams him. The Cowardly attack starts from behind.

All I heard before the season was does he have the strength to go all gamesOnly times he was out were on dirty hits

30 years ago an enforcer would have jumped on the ice and pounded him into next week.

"Green said he told his team to keep control and not go chasing after Matheson. “You’ve got to show composure when you’re in a game. It’s a 3-2 hockey game. There’s 12 minutes left. You’re talking about a guy that has one fight in his career. I don’t think he’s known as a dirty player. You’re in a hockey game, you don’t just go start chasing guys around the rink. “That’s just not the way it is. I’m just not going to talk about retribution.” From Vancouver sun.

Welcome to the nhl Swede . Fast forward to 2023 and Petterson is now dishing out the hits. He is a true superstar. But his initiation to Canadian hockey was abrupt evidenced by this hit where he was manhandled like a rag doll, and got his bell rung.

What a dirty play. Can't wait for Matheson to get a taste of his own medicine.

The team needs to stand for their teammates. That was a nasty hit. Not the initial the way he shoved him down! Someone should have ripped his head off!!

Why's Patterson's bucket so big what... oh yea, and super dirty hit as well

Dirty player with the push punch 🤜 to the face while his head hits off the ice 🙈