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Canucks' Elias Pettersson Breaks Silence on Hit that Sent Him Crashing Head-First

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Oct 10, 2025 12:30 PM ET

The Vancouver Canucks’ season opener against the Calgary Flames quickly turned physical, featuring a few hits and bizarre plays that defined the tone of a chippy second period.

Vancouver opened the score in the first period thanks to a Kiefer Sherwood goal, making it 1–0 in favor of the Canucks. No more goals arrived until the third frame, but action erupted in the second period after Elias Pettersson was sent crashing head-first into the boards by Calgary defenseman MacKenzie Weegar.

The play looked ugly in real time, and it happened as Pettersson dropped the puck near the offensive blue line just as Weegar closed in, driving him hard into the boards.

Pettersson was slow to get up and headed down the tunnel but returned minutes later, showing no signs of injury. Officials initially called a major penalty for boarding before reducing it to a minor after review.

Elias Pettersson goes awkwardly into the boards after getting hit by MacKenzie Weegar

: Sportsnet | #Canucks pic.twitter.com/4HrnhTKrlP
— CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) October 10, 2025

After the game, Pettersson didn't blame Weegar for his action and refused to assign blame.

“I think it’s just bad timing,” Pettersson said. “Those hits happen all the time. I dropped it at best, but it was a bad drop. I think I reached for it, and then MacKenzie Weegar hit me.

Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (40) checks Calgary Flames forward Matt Coronato (27).Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Added Pettersson: “I don’t think it’s a bad hit at all. It’s just bad timing. Usually I’m aware to get hit, but it was just bad timing.”

Not long after defending Weegar, Pettersson found himself in the opposite situation, as the Canucks star hammered Flames forward Connor Zary into the boards, drawing only a two-minute minor for boarding.

Connor Zary gets hit from behind by Elias Pettersson (D-Petey).

Such a dangerous hit. Pettersson should get kicked out of the game.

: Sportsnet | #Flames pic.twitter.com/0nfHkgjtpV
— Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) October 10, 2025

Vancouver eventually seized control thanks to Filip Chytil’s goal early in the third period, when his shot hit Kevin Bahl’s head and bounced back to him for an easy finish.

The Canucks scored four goals in the final frame alone to secure a 5–2 victory and open the season with a victory.

The Canucks (1–0–0) face the Edmonton Oilers on Friday night at 10 p.m. ET in the second half of a back-to-back.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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