While hockey fans await the decision by the DoPS on the vicious hit by Jack Eichel, Oilers' Mattias Ekholm has broken his silence and spoken about the situation. It was anything but without drama, though, as the <a href='https://www.nhl.com/oilers/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Edmonton Oilers</a> downed the <a href='https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Vegas Golden Knights</a> 6-3 on Saturday, but <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/edmonton-oilers-player-gets-viciously-smashed-into-boards-by-jack-eichel-fans-calling-for-suspension' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>it was not without its controversy</a>. The early domination belonged to Edmonton as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored on the power play in the first, while Zach Hyman, Connor Brown, Leon Draisaitl, and Corey Perry also beat the Vegas goalie for a 5-0 Edmonton lead midway through the second. Vegas responded with late second-period goals from Victor Olofsson and Ivan Barbashev drawing them to 5-2, but frustrations boiled over when Jack Eichel shoved <a href='https://www.nhl.com/oilers/player/mattias-ekholm-8475218' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Mattias Ekholm</a> into the boards from behind in Edmonton's zone. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/zjlaing/status/1868064290936090785'> </a></blockquote></div> There was much outrage from the irate fans in the stands and online when no call was made. Vegas scored early in the third to make it 5-3, but Jeff Skinner responded quickly as Edmonton restored its three-goal advantage. <a href='https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-draisaitl-scores-as-the-oilers-beat-the-golden-knights-6-3-for-their/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>The Oilers hung on for a big win</a> in this <a href='https://www.nhl.com/standings/2024-12-17/division' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Pacific Divisions</a> battle. Mattias Ekholm revealed the explanation he received from the officials, and they claimed the hit was not hard enough to warrant any major discipline. He also provided his take on the play. «It's pretty self-explanatory. But the explanation I got from (referee Francis Charron) was he didn't think the cross-check was that forceful,» Ekholm said. «Obviously, I think it's a penalty. If I were to do that to somebody and get two minutes, I wouldn't say a word about it. It's a dangerous play. What I heard from Connor right away is that (the ref) said it was a battle, Ekholm continued. «I don't really see it as a battle. I think (the ref) missed a call and that's gonna happen.» Captain Connor McDavid, who discussed it with the referees, confirmed they said it was a battle and a player took him down. Head coach Kris Knoblauch has been subdued most nights this season, but his frustration with the non-call was evident. «I didn't like it,» Knoblauch said. «Just not a penalty, that's the explanation I got.» The Oilers will now play the Florida Panthers on Monday in their first meeting since last year's Stanley Cup Final. Edmonton and Vegas, meanwhile, won't square off again until April 1 in Nevada. For as heated as this one was, their season series finale might just be a playoff preview.