Game 4 between the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks featured a controversial incident involving Evander Kane and Tyler Myers. With the series tied at 2-2, every moment was crucial, but perhaps none more so than Kane's high stick that left Myers bloodied.
The incident unfolded with just under six minutes remaining in the first period. As Kane surged toward the Canucks' goal, Myers found himself in the path of the Oilers forward. In a split-second collision, Kane's stick connected with Myers' head, resulting in a double minor penalty for high-sticking.
Concern for Myers' well-being mingled with frustration and anger directed at Evander Kane for his reckless play, setting the stage for a charged atmosphere for the remainder of the game.
Fans took to X/Twitter to show their anger, as one fan commented:
"That should have been 5 and a game for cross checking."
Another fan supported this:
"Its clear Cross Check, means 5 minutes and at least game suspension."
Despite numerous fans expressing their anger towards Evander Kane, many were keen to highlight that the infraction in question was a cross-check, not a high stick:
"High sticking? That was a cross check. Major and a game according to the rule book. But that’s been thrown out," one fan said.
"Should have been a 5 min crosscheck not a high stick... another missed call by these blind refs," another fan commented.
"Disgusting pp," one fan reacted.
"Yeah, "high sticking," more like a cross-check to the face. Should have been 5 and a game," one fan chimed in.
Meanwhile, some fans made fun of the Canucks:
"Great kill by the nucks," one fan said.
"What a joke sluggish Canucks," another fan said.
The Oilers took an early lead with goals from Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Vancouver battled back and leveled proceedings before Evan Bouchard scored the go-ahead goal for the Oilers, making it 3-2 in the final moments of the game.
Evander Kane's Playoff Problem: A history of high-sticking incidents
E͏vander Kane has a͏ notable tr͏ack record when it comes to high-sticking͏ incidents in the playoffs. This isn't the first time his lack of discipline ͏has landed him in hot water. In last season's playoffs, Kane found himself in a similar situation during a matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights.
In Game 3 of the second-round playoff series,͏ K͏ane' took a reckless run at Alex Pietrangelo, delivering a cross-check directly to Pietrangelo's face after the horn had sounded. The act earned Kane a two-minute ͏minor cross-checking penalty and gave the Gol͏de͏n Knights a power play to start the second period.
In Game 2, he received a double minor and a 10-minute misconduct for roughing, following a brutal scrum where he delivered multiple hits to a defenseless player on the ice.
Game 5 between the Oilers and Canucks is set to take place at Rogers Arena on Thursday.
What did you make of the penalty awarded to Evander Kane for his high stick on Tyler Myers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.