Highly respected analyst and former NHL star weighs in on lopsided officiating in Leafs/Bolts Game 6
Call it bad discipline, call it game management, call it a Gary Bettman conspiracy, no matter how you view it, referees played a huge role in the Leafs' game 6 loss to Tampa. The phantom high stick that led to the 5 on 3 goal to tie the game was horrific. Kerfoot being called for Hedman lifting Kerf's stick into his own face was brutal. What's worse than those, however, was the inconsistency of the officiating.
During the overtime period, Alex Killorn grabbed a hold of the back of Auston Matthews' jersey and spent a good 5 or 6 seconds being towed around the ice. In the same clip we see Michael Bunting apparently giving a piggyback ride to a Tampa defender. In this world of makeup calls and game management, in which the refs had already had a massive effect on the outcome of the game, the fact that such an obvious penalty got ignored is a farce. There were those that argued that the standard for calls in overtime changes, to which I say, why? The stakes are no higher than they are halfway through the third period of a one goal game. There is absolutely no reason the third period and Overtime shouldn't be called to the same standard.
TSN analyst Ray Ferraro played over 400 games, scored 490 goals and 898 points in the NHL through the clutch and grab era. Its safe to say that he has a solid grasp of what is a penalty and what's not. Ray was not impressed in the least by the non-call on Killorn as he latched onto Matthews and went for a ride.
Sheldon Keefe and the Leafs made the smart move in refusing to comment on the officiating. There's no need for them to point it out now that the media has decided to comment on it. The NHL has embarrassed itself yet again, and now, going into a crucial game 7 in Toronto, all eyes will be on whoever dons the orange arm bands.
