Calgary Flames head coach Ryan Huska defended forward <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/nhl-suspends-calgary-flames-connor-zary-elbowing-vancouver-canucks-elias-pettersson">Connor Zary after the NHL handed him a two-game suspension</a> for an illegal hit on <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations">Vancouver Canucks</a> defenceman Elias Pettersson during Wednesday’s 4-3 shootout loss.
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“I love that Connor went in and stood up for a teammate,” Huska said. “Connor’s not that type of player. I don’t think he’s ever going to put himself or be in a situation like that again. It’s not him. I mean, he’s had 14 hits this year — that’s not Connor, so I don’t worry about that at all. I just love the fact that he was there for a teammate.”
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&quot;I love that Connor [Zary] went in and stood up for a teammate.&quot;
Flames head coach Ryan Huska on Connor Zary&#39;s two-game suspension for elbowing defenceman Elias Pettersson, following Pettersson&#39;s open-ice hit on Nazem Kadri <a href="https://t.co/t4iSIPyvcE">pic.twitter.com/t4iSIPyvcE</a>
&mdash; Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1900641957115764845?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Zary, 23, delivered an elbow to Pettersson’s head in apparent retaliation after the rookie defenceman landed a hard open-ice hit on Flames forward Nazem Kadri. Pettersson left the game in the second period after the hit and did not return. The NHL Department of Player Safety ruled the hit illegal and issued a suspension, marking the first disciplinary action of Zary’s career.
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Connor Zary has been suspended two games for elbowing against Elias Pettersson <a href="https://t.co/5zsFoTd7OE">pic.twitter.com/5zsFoTd7OE</a>
&mdash; Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1900281878894321805?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The Flames forward was the 24th overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft and is currently in his second NHL season in Calgary. He has not been known for playing a physical or reckless game. 
Pettersson, 21, is in his first NHL season with Vancouver and has emerged as a key part of the Canucks&#8217; defensive group since joining the team in January. Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said after practice today that <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/vancouver-canucks-elias-petterson-full-go-return-chicago-blackhawks-tyler-myers-upgraded-probable">Pettersson is a ‘full go’</a> for tomorrow’s matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks.
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Rick Tocchet says Tyler Myers has been upgraded to probable ahead of tomorrow&#39;s game vs. Chicago. Says D-Petey is &quot;full go&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canucks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sportsnet650</a>
&mdash; Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/BatchHockey/status/1900635017652666757?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The Canucks and Flames are battling for the eighth and final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. They are currently tied at 71 points, and with the Flames&#8217; loss on Friday night to the Colorado Avalanche, both teams have played 65 games. Both teams have 17 games remaining, with the Flames holding the tie-breaker with 24 regulation wins. 
The Flames will be without Zary for one more game on Monday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Calgary Flames head coach Ryan Huska defended forward <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/nhl-suspends-calgary-flames-connor-zary-elbowing-vancouver-canucks-elias-pettersson">Connor Zary after the NHL handed him a two-game suspension</a> for an illegal hit on <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/combinations">Vancouver Canucks</a> defenceman Elias Pettersson during Wednesday’s 4-3 shootout loss.
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“I love that Connor went in and stood up for a teammate,” Huska said. “Connor’s not that type of player. I don’t think he’s ever going to put himself or be in a situation like that again. It’s not him. I mean, he’s had 14 hits this year — that’s not Connor, so I don’t worry about that at all. I just love the fact that he was there for a teammate.”

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1900641957115764845

Zary, 23, delivered an elbow to Pettersson’s head in apparent retaliation after the rookie defenceman landed a hard open-ice hit on Flames forward Nazem Kadri. Pettersson left the game in the second period after the hit and did not return. The NHL Department of Player Safety ruled the hit illegal and issued a suspension, marking the first disciplinary action of Zary’s career.

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1900281878894321805

The Flames forward was the 24th overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft and is currently in his second NHL season in Calgary. He has not been known for playing a physical or reckless game. 

Pettersson, 21, is in his first NHL season with Vancouver and has emerged as a key part of the Canucks' defensive group since joining the team in January. Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said after practice today that <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/vancouver-canucks-elias-petterson-full-go-return-chicago-blackhawks-tyler-myers-upgraded-probable">Pettersson is a ‘full go’</a> for tomorrow’s matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks.

https://twitter.com/BatchHockey/status/1900635017652666757

The Canucks and Flames are battling for the eighth and final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. They are currently tied at 71 points, and with the Flames' loss on Friday night to the Colorado Avalanche, both teams have played 65 games. Both teams have 17 games remaining, with the Flames holding the tie-breaker with 24 regulation wins. 

The Flames will be without Zary for one more game on Monday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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