Ref screws Leafs with a minute to go with brutal penalty on Tavares
Photo credit: Sportsnet/CBC
With just over a minute to go in Game 3, the referees prevented the Leafs from tying the game, ignoring a Bruins penalty and instead called one on John Tavares.
Folks, this one is going to be talked about. Maple Leaf fans are often criticized for always blaming the officials when things don't go their way. However in Game 3 against Boston, they have a legitimate gripe.
Not only were they on the receiving end of some terrible missed calls, but at the tail end of the game, with the net empty, the Leafs were trying to tie the game up and force overtime.
A Bruins defender grabbed ahold of Leafs captain John Tavares' stick as he was in pursuit of the puck. As he was thrown off balance, Tavares had taken down Bruins defender Charlie McAvoy, resulting in a penalty in the same sequence. Not only was Tavares livid, fans were irate as well - and rightfully so.
It baffles me how the official, who is RIGHT THERE on top of the play, could miss the hold against the Bruins, but call Tavares in the same sequence, absolutely erasing any momentum the Leafs had while pushing to tie the game late.
Sheldon Keefe has already been fined multiple times for postgame comments he's made about officiating during the regular season, but this one might be worth taking a fine to make a point, in my opinion.
As I said before, this one is going to be talked about.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 24 | 570 ANSWERS Ref screws Leafs with a minute to go with brutal penalty on Tavares Did the refs screw the Leafs out of Game 3 against the Bruins? | ||
| Yes, most brutal officiating yet | 377 | 66.1 % |
| No, their bad power play burned them | 117 | 20.5 % |
| Stop blaming officials for the team choking | 76 | 13.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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