Jack Eichel Mattias Ekholm Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

‘This is not a serious league:’ Oilers fans react to non-call for Jack Eichel’s hit on Mattias Ekholm

Originally posted on Oilersnation | By Zach Laing | Last updated Dec 14, 2024 6:23 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers were running up the score on the Vegas Golden Knights Saturday afternoon, racking up a 5-0 lead with seven minutes left in the second period.

Vegas put together a quick response, however, as Viktor Olofsson and Noah Hanifin’s back-to-back goals in 45 seconds saw them get some life. But moments after that second goal, things got ugly when Jack Eichel laid a dangerous cross-check to the back of Mattias Ekholm.

It happened near the boards in the Oilers’ defensive zone as both went to chase after a loose puck in the corner. Ekholm had the inside track to Eichel, and as soon as he went to make a play on the puck, he took a vicious cross-check in the back. Eichel’s stick work sent Ekholm flying into the boards head first, and thankfully for the Oilers, Ekholm was able to get back up to his feet, joining scrum that built as he collected himself.

Eichel was taken to the penalty box when the scrum broke up, but for some reason, referees didn’t issue him a penalty on the play.

jack eichel lays a very dangerous cross check to mattias ekholm, sending him into the boards, and doesn’t get penalized for it. pic.twitter.com/2UOph9tgS9

— zach (@zjlaing) December 14, 2024

It drew the ire of many on social media.

“This is not a serious league,” Twitter user Kinger999 wrote.

It also caught CanucksArmy editor David Quadrelli off guard, sharing a clip from a Nov. 23rd Vancouver Canucks game against the Ottawa Senators. It highlighted how Quinn Hughes was handed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for laying a similar cross-check to the back of Josh Norris.

Quinn Hughes got five and a game for this hit on Josh Norris last month. Downright crazy to me that Eichel's hit (below) gets nothing. https://t.co/XS7jJ226JD

— David Quadrelli (@QuadrelliD) December 14, 2024

Oilersnation’s Jason Gregor chimed in, saying: “NHL’s willingness to allow hits/crosschecks from behind three feet from the boards is utterly ridiculous. I truly don’t understand it.” More Oilersnation staffers shared their thoughts on it, too. Liam Horrobin said “That is an unbelievable no call,” while Baggedmilk thought the same: “How is that not a penalty on Eichel?”

Tyler Yaremchuk, meanwhile, referred back to Alex Pietrangelo’s lumberjack chop on Leon Draisaitl in the 2023 playoffs.

Remember when Pietrangelo gave Draisaitl the lumberjack chop and only got one game?

I’m remembering that if I’m the Oilers right now. You don’t let Eichel lay that hit without paying for it.

— Tyler Yaremchuk (@tyleryaremchuk) December 14, 2024

Here’s what others said about the hit:

If the Hughes crosscheck was a suspension and a major then Eichel's should be too.

— Shaedon (@Shae_Nuge93) December 14, 2024

if that’s not a cross checking penalty idk what is

— gina (@nuggyyybabyyy) December 14, 2024

Even eichel knew it was a penalty lol

— Profondo (@profondo331) December 14, 2024

How did he get NOTHING for that!?!?!?!?

— FatDad (@FatDad_) December 14, 2024

I remember why I hate the Golden Knights

— Arch (@Archaeologuy) December 14, 2024

Vegas can't lose with dignity. So they'll get dirty. Make them hurt on the scoreboard.
Do it.
Don't look back. Just push push push

— GeekilyConfused (@Geekilysaysnow) December 14, 2024