Nils Höglander was sent off on Monday evening for a dangerous gesture towards Kevin Labanc.
There were just 90 seconds left in the second period when the Canucks forward threw the Sharks forward with a tripped leg.
Höglander subsequently received a severe punishment. He is expected to have a hearing before the NHL’s Department of Player Safety in the coming days.
Labanc temporarily left the game after the scene after falling heavily on the ice.
Despite that five-minute penalty, the Canucks still managed a 3-1 win. Quinn Hughes scored his eighth goal of the year, already a personal highlight for the defender.
The Flames continue their momentum
In Seattle, the Flames won 4-3 in overtime against the Kraken. Calgary has not lost in regulation time in its last four games.
Andrew Mangiapane (his 100th career goal) tied the game with less than five minutes left in the third period, while Rasmus Andersson scored in overtime.
The defender collected three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in the win. Quebecer Jonathan Huberdeau also had a strong game with a goal and an assist.
For the Kraken, goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer was eliminated due to an injury, the cause of which was not disclosed, after allowing two goals on seven shots.