NHL Should Be Embarrassed By Maple Leafs/Islanders Result
“Maybe if an Islander bleeds like this they’ll receive a powerplay”
Call me a homer or a whiner or whatever you’d like, but Tuesday’s Toronto Maple Leafs/New York Islanders game may have been the worst officiated game in NHL history. The main reason I say that is because it was the first time in the league’s history two teams met in back to back games that one team never received a powerplay, to sum that up the Maple Leafs played the cleanest 6+ periods versus an opponent in NHL history!! Fat Fucking Chance. Just look at this little collage from Tuesday’s game:
The “interference” on Matt Moulson occurred in overtime, immediately after it happened the Leafs skated down and scored the game-winner, so obviously that non-call had a direct effect on the outcome. The second picture, whatever a guy gets punched in the face inadvertently it happens lets move on. The high stick on Andrew MacDonald drew blood which would’ve resulted in a double minor penalty, meaning the Isles would’ve gotten a man advantage for a maximum of four minutes. I’m sure there are some people saying who cares if the Islanders don’t receive a single powerplay; well before Monday the Islanders had the 2nd best powerplay in the NHL over their last 10 games, meanwhile the Leafs had the NHL’s worst penalty kill in the NHL this season.
Not pictured is at the end of the 2nd period in Tuesday’s game Islander forward John Tavares was cheap shotted from behind against the boards, drawing blood again, and as he skated off the ice for intermission he was heard screaming at the ref “You’re a fucking joke!” I’d tend to agree with him. Throw in the fact that the league caters to “Original 6″ and Canadian teams (the Leafs fall into both categories) and we have a perfect recipe for a screw job.
To be fair the Islanders have basically been pushovers for the past decade so I understand them not getting the benefit of the doubt from officials, but to not receive a single powerplay against a team that can be considered “dirty” is laughable. This is very similar to what happened last year when the Islanders were continually getting shafted by the refs, it eventually led to an all out brawl against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Video here:
This was considered to be a black eye for the sport, and the Islanders (not the Penguins) drew tremendous criticism. But if this shit continues to happenI wouldn’t be surprised if the Islanders retaliate in a similar fashion, and if Gary Betteman and the NHL want to crucify them again well they can shove it up their asses.
As you can tell I’m still a little steamed over the last two games so thanks for allowing me to place my anger.
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