Officiating tandem for Game 2 of the Leafs/Lightning series
Following an abysmal Game 1 at best, thanks in large to Wes McCauley, Leafs Nation was waiting with bated breath to find out who tonight's officials would be for Leafs/Lightning Game 2. Well, we wait no longer, as NHL Insider Chris Johnston has confirmed tonight's two referees.
Per Johnston, Eric Furlatt and Trevor Hanson will have the call tonight in Toronto for Game 2. While the Leafs are just 4-6 when these two officiate their playoff games, it's a much improved number over the 0-8 that the Leafs have gone in the playoffs when Wes McCauley has the call. Something of note here as well, Eric Furlatt was the official who called Justin Holl for interference in Game 7 last year on the play which negated John Tavares' game-tying goal.
I know that this may seem inconsequential to many, but when an official has a vendetta against a team or a coach, it can make it very tough for that team to win a hockey game. In the Leafs' case, there were several non-calls that favoured Tampa, as well as several calls that weren't even regular season penalties called against the Leafs.
While the Buds don't have a winning record when Eric Furlatt and Trevor Hanson are on task, I certainly like their chances a lot better than what they would have been if McCauley had overseen Game 2 as well.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 20 | 485 ANSWERS Officiating tandem for Game 2 of the Leafs/Lightning series Will the Leafs win Game 2 and tie the series at 1-1? | ||
| Yes | 431 | 88.9 % |
| No | 54 | 11.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
