Controversial NHL Refs Won’t Be Making The Trip To The Second Round

Hockey | 4/25/19
nhl refs
Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The two referees who were on the call for the five minute major penalty that allowed the San Jose Sharks beat the Las Vegas Golden Knight have been told by the league to pack their bags and go home. The call was seen as controversial right away, with the refs reacting to Joe Pavelski's injury even though the didn't see the actual play.

After the game, Golden Knight leader Jonathan Marchessault had strong works for the refs, "Like, seriously, what is that? It's so disappointing. The game's not even close. It's 3-0. Call a [two-minute minor]? OK. But a five? For something you don't even see? You just call the outcome. It's a [expletive] joke. It's embarrassing. That's what it is."

One former NHL ref sided with the upset player, and now the league is too. Of course, what's done is done. The NHL can't force the Golden Knights and Sharks to play game seven again.

Perhaps more importantly, Las Vegas players now need to study the tape and see how they unraveled during that five minute major penalty, as well as games five through seven. Given three chances to close out the series and advance to the second round of the playoffs, they failed. Now they're taking two refs with them.