Officials screw the Leafs out of a 4-minute power play by refusing to call a clear cut double-minor
Early in the second period of tonight's Game 4 between the Leafs and the Panthers, Michael Bunting was high-sticked by Eetu Luostarinen along the boards. Upon first glance, it appeared to be nothing more than a high-sticking minor, but by the time Bunting had made his way back to the bench, he was bleeding.
Bunting and the Leafs' bench drew the attention of the official to show the damage in hopes of having the minor penalty upgraded to a 4-minute double-minor, as the player was clearly cut on the play. However, their pleas fell on deaf ears as the official refused to change the call. Bunting was irate on the bench as he called out to the official and flaunted the damage to try to plead his case.
"How does that happen? I'm f***ing bleeding," said Bunting to the official at the Leafs bench. In the end, Bunting was unsuccessful and the penalty would remain a 2 minute minor. William Nylander did score on the ensuing powerplay, but the Leafs should have had an additional two minutes with which to work on the powerplay. Hopefully this one doesn't prove costly for the Leafs. What a horrendous call by the official.
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