Toronto Hockey Daily has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL or NHLPA
Replay Shows Auston Matthews Wasn't Guilty: NHL Referee's Controversial Call Changed on the Fly
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
The primary story coming into the Thanksgiving matinee between the Red Wings and the Maple Leafs was supposed to be about Easton Cowan's NHL debut, but an error by the officials took centre stage on Monday afternoon.
Easton Cowan's NHL debut was a big story coming into today, and the former London Knight was given a royal treatment prior to the start of this one, taking a lap without the bucket, letting the hair flow freely.
Unfortunately, the focus was quickly taken off of Cowan, and played on the officiating, which has once again begun on a shaky note this season.
The job of an NHL referee is not an easy one, and when they get a call wrong, the fans, media, coaches, and players make sure they know it.
Referees are under an immense amount of pressure to call a fair, unbiased game, but it's not always cut-and-dry. Sometimes, they make mistakes.
When their error cost the Maple Leafs a goal against versus the Red Wings on Thanksgiving Monday, the fans were quick to react.
NHL Referee's Mistake Benefits the Red Wings
Breaking down the play in question, the Maple Leafs were already on the penalty kill towards the end of the first period and were attempting to clear the puck away from the front of their net when it was caught with a high stick and launched out of play.
Auston Matthews Innocent, Referees Forced to Change Penalty Call
There were multiple sticks up attempting to deflect the puck, but in the end, the referees called Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews for delay of game.
There was just one problem: It wasn't Auston Matthews who knocked the puck out of play. Upon closer inspection, it was Simon Benoit, not Matthews, who put the puck out of play, as is evidenced in the clip provided below.
Fans in Toronto Unhappy About the Missed Call
By the time the video replay reached the display screens above centre ice, the call had already been made, and fans were quick to shower the officials with a chorus of boos.
Even George Malik, a Red Wings Blogger for The Malik Report, got it wrong.
Thankfully, after the fans' reaction, the referees did go back to the video review to ensure the proper call was made. Benoit, not Matthews, was ushered to the box.
Should the NHL Implement a Rule Change to Streamline the Process?
Granted, the mistake was a tough look for the officials. It has long been suggested that a solution to problems like this one would be to have an "eye in the sky", something like a referee who can review the video feed to ensure that the call on the ice is the right call.
The Red Wings scored on the ensuing power play and took a 1-0 lead into the locker room in the first intermission.
Related reads:
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 13 | 566 ANSWERS Replay Shows Auston Matthews Wasn't Guilty: NHL Referee's Controversial Call Changed on the Fly Should the NHL's war room be able to overturn penalties made in games? | ||
| Yes | 435 | 76.9 % |
| No | 131 | 23.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
