The Seattle head coach provided two compelling arguments for why a crucial player would be suspended.

The Seattle head coach provided two compelling arguments for why a crucial player would be suspended.

Shortly after their heartbreaking overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken, which leveled their first-round series at two games apiece, the Colorado Avalanche suffered yet another setback.

Star defenseman Cale Makar’s hit that eliminated Jared McCann from the game on Wednesday night has resulted in a suspension for Game 5.

Makar put McCann into the boards early in the first quarter after Alexandar Georgiev stopped McCann’s short-handed breakaway opportunity. Makar delivered the hit even though the puck was out of play, and it was called an interference penalty.

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Jared McCann is struck by Cale Makar.
On April 24, 2023, in Seattle, Washington, during the first period of Game Four of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena, Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche checks Jared McCann #19 of the Seattle Kraken. From Stephanie Chambers/Getty Images

Makar continued playing, but McCann was taken off the ice by medical personnel. After leaving the game, he did not come back, and Seattle has already declared him out of the series beginning with Game 5.

At first, Makar was given a five-minute major, but the call was changed by video replay. Makar had a meeting with the NHL Department of Player Safety even though the severity of the penalty lessened during the game.

“It is important to note that McCann is in no way eligible to be checked on this play,” the NFL stated. “Makar completes this hit significantly beyond the permitted time frame to complete a check. Furthermore, it’s obvious that Makar knows McCann doesn’t have the puck when he chooses to hit McCann.

“Despite Makar’s claim that he thought the puck would bounce into the corner and the play would continue, it is Makar’s responsibility to make sure this happens before making contact. This play ends with a body check to a player who is not allowed to be hit and sustains an injury.”

Jared McCann walking off the ice
On April 24, 2023, in Seattle, Washington, during Game Four of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena, Jared McCann #19 of the Seattle Kraken is helped off the ice following a check against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period. From Stephanie Chambers/Getty Images

Over time, Jordan Eberle elevates Kraken over an avalanche to even series.

“It is regrettable. Makar declared following the game, “I never want to hurt guys.” “Hopefully, he’s doing fine. In the end, I didn’t think I made a very strong effort to get the last word in him. However, it seems to me that they would have acted in the same way if I had been in that situation. I have no intention of hurting anyone. It’s just a tough bounce, which is unfortunate. All you can ask for is that they handled the call correctly.”

Being the first 40-goal scorer in the short history of the team, McCann scored 40 goals during the regular season. The 2022 Norris Trophy winner for best defenseman, Makar, led the defending Stanley Cup Champions with 17 goals and 49 assists during the regular season.

Cale Makar with ref
On April 24, 2023, in Seattle, Washington, during the first period of Game Four of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena, Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche looks on after his penalty after checking Jared McCann #19 of the Seattle Kraken.