NHL fans were furious Cale Makar was called for a minor after a brutal Jared McCann cheap shot

Could Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar get a suspension for a late hit on Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann on Monday?

It’s theoretically possible. As you’ll see in the video below, the hit is for sure dirty. After McCann missed on a breakaway and the puck goes out of play, Makar nails McCann into the boards.

But the penalty was initially deemed a major and then changed to a minor after review. Why? It’s hard to tell. McCann skated off the ice, hurt, and Makar was allowed to play in what ended up as a Kraken win in overtime.

And fans were furious.

Makar's going to get suspended for this, right? pic.twitter.com/PGgnSkBDKM

— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) April 25, 2023

Something to think about: Makar doesn’t have a history of dirty play. He’s actually known for being pretty classy.

Still, check out the reaction below:

Cale Makar rocks Jared McCann into the boards long after the puck is out of play. There’s no way that this isn’t going to be a suspension on Makar. Dirty, dirty hit by Makar and @NHLPlayerSafety is going to want a word pic.twitter.com/ynLLRSKQDh

— Boston Bruins Watcher (@WatcherBruins) April 25, 2023

This angle makes it look even worse. I would hope Makar will be looking at a suspension of at least a couple of games. This hit had nothing to do with the run of play in any way.pic.twitter.com/SQjmRUd93j

— JABO Vancouver (@jabo_vancouver) April 25, 2023

Officials have overturned what was called a major penalty on Cale Makar. Turns out one of the latest, dirtiest hits I've ever seen live is just a minor penalty.

Gross.

— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) April 25, 2023

Awful cheap hit from Cale Makar on Jared McCann. The puck was nowhere close. That’s as dirty as it gets. McCann did not return. His status going forward is unknown

This officiating is the worst I’ve ever seen in a single round of playoffs. pic.twitter.com/0ricgFx0y6

— X- Tim Del Monaco🌞 (@legendofthetim) April 25, 2023

I love Cale Makar. Transcendent, fringe-generational defenceman. Have no idea how the refs could bring this down from a five and this should absolutely be a suspension. The puck isn't in the same time zone, just a garbage hit pic.twitter.com/wsBVOqbGFa

— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) April 25, 2023

This is bush league stuff from Makar. Just absolutely zero reason to do that. https://t.co/qqgzPOfmZ9

— x – Brett Marshall 🌲 (@B_Marsh92) April 25, 2023