The Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals was entertaining and had just about everything.
The Oilers came out flying in the first period, and after a goal and assist from Connor McDavid, the Oilers held a 2-0 lead going into the second period.
But the Stars scored three unanswered goals quickly in the second period, but after an Adam Henrique goal with a minute left of the middle frame, the goal was tied 3-3.
But just after the goal, fans had every reason to be upset about a call on Stars forward Mason Marchment.
The officiating in this year’s playoffs has been heavily criticized, and the consistency in calls hasn’t been the best.
With the second period’s final moments ticking away, Marchment was cross-checked in the back by Oilers’ Zach Hyman.
Hyman was sent to the box for the cross-check, but to Marchment’s big surprise, the Stars forward was also whistled for a penalty.
The officials thought he was guilty of embellishment, but looking at the replay reviews, it was obvious that Marchment had no chance of standing up after getting Hyman’s stick on his back.
And it wasn’t just fans reacting to the call.
Wayne Gretzky shared his feelings on the call during the second-period intermission on TNT, and he didn’t hold back with his critique.
”Maybe one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen,” Gretzky said. ”A tough guy like Marchment, he doesn’t embellish. That should have been one penalty.”
On social media, many called it a ’reputation call.’ Marchment has been called for embellishment earlier in his career and even this postseason. But this time, everyone believed the referees got the call wrong.
”How do you take the refs seriously after these playoffs?” one social media user said.
”TIL it’s a penalty to be blindsided with a cross-check in the back and not stay on your feet,” another said.
”It’s just confusing – if he got cross-checked, how is falling down embellishing?” a third added.
Both teams were scoreless in the following 4-on-4 play, but the Stars scored two goals in the third period to win 5-3 and to take a 2-1 series lead over the Oilers.
