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The NHL confirmed Sunday that Matheson will have a phone hearing about the incident.

Benning said he wouldn’t comment on what kind of punishment he was hoping for.

“That’s in the league’s hands,” he said.

Photo by Sportsnet / Screengrab

Canucks coach Travis Green called Matheson’s actions “dirty” and called on the league to protect the games’ young stars.

Green defended his players not seeking in-game retribution, emphasizing it was more important that they win the game.

Benning echoed his coach’s position.

“The players on the ice, they weren’t even aware that it happened,” he said. “The puck was live, in the slot … they were playing out the play.

“A lot of the players didn’t see it. We have players who are willing to do that sort of thing (fighting), but we were trying to fight for the win.”

The game itself has changed too, he noted. There was a time when vigilantism was more common, especially when opposing teams took runs at star players.

“You don’t really see a lot of fighting in the game anymore,” he pointed out.

Still, he believed in the closeness of the group of players he’s assembled.

“Our players are going to stick up for one another,” he said.

Canucks forward Sven Baertschi called Matheson’s slamming of Pettersson to the ice something out of the WWE.

“It’s one thing to pin a guy against the boards. But once he’s against the boards, he’s off balance and gets wrestled down like that, that hurts. And with his head going backwards, that’s not a comfortable situation for him,” he said. “Things happen quick out there. I’m not sure he meant to do it, but he did.”