This is what the Panthers’ Mike Matheson had to say about his suspension given by NHL

Mike Matheson is upset with the NHL’s decision to suspend him for two games, but the Florida Panthers defenseman understands the league’s ruling.

Matheson addressed the media Wednesday for the first time since the NHL announced his suspension Monday, stemming from an “unsportsmanlike” hit on Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson on Saturday.

Matheson appeared to unnecessarily slam Pettersson to the ice during the second period of a loss to the Canucks on Saturday.

The high hit resulted in a concussion for Pettersson, who is now out indefinitely. While he was not penalized during the game, Matheson will now miss one more game and be docked two game checks totaling more than $52,000.

“I’m definitely disappointed with the decision to suspend me for two games because I know deep down that there was no frustration in me when that play happened, and there was no intent to injure on my part, and it was obviously an unfortunate event,” Matheson said Wednesday in Coral Springs. “Having said that, after the game and since then I’ve been able to watch the clip numerous times and I definitely understand what they saw and why they thought it was worth two games.”

Matheson served the first half of his two game suspension Tuesday as he sat out a 6-5, shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. He will also miss the Panthers’ next game against the Washington Capitals on Friday in Washington.

Matheson insists he had no ill intent when making the hit on Pettersson, who entered the year as one of the favorites for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

This suspension is Matheson’s first in his still-young NHL career and he said this is the first time he’s been suspended at any level. Matheson also said he has texted with Pettersson since the incident and the rookie thanked Matheson for reaching out.

“The first thing I thought of after the game was whether he was OK and that was my main concern, and it still is my main concern,” Matheson said. “I reached out to him to see how he’s doing and it sounds like he’s doing a lot better in the last few days and that’s great to hear because, as a player you never go around trying to injure people.”