Flames' Tanev responds to McDavid's trip complaint: 'It's unfortunate'

Connor McDavid thinks Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev made a dangerous play during Monday's preseason edition of the Battle of Alberta.

Tanev doesn't agree.

"Anyone who has watched me play knows I'm a pretty honest player," Tanev said Thursday, according to Sportsnet's Eric Francis. "I take maybe three or four minors a year. I don't think I'm going out there trying to hurt people. I'm trying to play the puck. I hit the puck with my stick. He's trying to jump over me as well ... it's unfortunate."

The controversy in question occurred late in the third period when Tanev attempted to stop the Edmonton Oilers superstar as he drove to the net on a partial breakaway. Tanev's stick got caught in McDavid's legs, causing the forward to collide with Calgary netminder Jacob Markstrom.

So this WAS Connor's goal. Planned that tip the whole way no doubt. #BattleOfAlberta | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/Y3jz9UKTzr

- Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 5, 2021

"I'm trying to get the puck, and it's obviously unfortunate he gets tripped up and goes into the goalie," Tanev said.

The Oilers ended up scoring during the sequence anyway as the puck went off McDavid and in. Edmonton won the contest 4-3.

McDavid voiced his displeasure about the incident after the game, saying he hopes similar plays start to get called more often.

"I don't want to go flying in there, the goalie doesn't want me to go flying in there. And the guy that's left safe is the defenseman that was sloppy with his stick," he said.

The Oilers and the Flames will meet again in Edmonton on Oct. 16.

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