Conor Garland makes feelings extremely clear about being Edmonton's public enemy No. 1 ahead of Oilers vs Canucks clash

Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland shared his thoughts on being Edmonton's public enemy No. 1 ahead of the Edmonton Oilers vs. Canucks clash on Thursday.

In Saturday’s Vancouver 3-2-win, Garland held Oilers superstar Connor McDavid in the final seconds of the game to prevent the Oilers from scoring. McDavid retaliated by cross-checking Garland, resulting in a three-game suspension.

Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers also received a suspension for a similar cross-check on the play.

The suspensions outraged Oilers fans, who directed much of their frustration toward Garland. When asked about being cast as the villain, Garland was nonchalant.

“I do not care," Garland said. "I just try to play each and every day and put forth a good effort. whatever happened, happened. I didn’t hurt him or slew foot him. I guess they’re upset about the hold. I didn’t try to injure him. Whatever comes with that, comes with that.”

While Conor Garland doesn't often draw the ire of opponents these days, he said it was more common in junior hockey before he established himself as an NHL player.

“That was when I was a good player. I don’t think teams are having meetings about me before games anymore. It’s a little different,” he joked (per dailyhive.com).

For his part, Canucks coach Rick Tocchet downplayed the drama.

“Yeah, he held the guy, so is that (worth) wanted posters? I understand if he smashed him in the face or got in a fight or did something. It’s a hold,” said Tocchet.

Connor McDavid's take on cross-checking Conor Garland

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid expressed a mix of remorse and frustration on Wednesday when addressing the cross-checking incident with Vancouver's Conor Garland, as well as the subsequent suspension he received.

McDavid explained that he was simply "trying to tie the game" and didn't expect the physical exchange with Garland to escalate as it did.

"I'm not really looking to engage with him (Conor Garland)," McDavid said. "There's a lot of holding [in the skirmish] and holding down -- he holds my head down for a little bit and stuff like that."

When asked if he could see the referee's reaction during the skirmish, McDavid bluntly responded:

"I did not. I had my head between my legs. I know where we are in the time of the game and what we're trying to do. The longer (the holding) goes, the more you think there's going to be something."

McDavid, who currently ranks fourth in the league in scoring, will forfeit over $195,312.51 in salary while serving his three-game suspension.