Things are not looking great for the Boston Bruins at the moment. They dropped their sixth straight game on Thursday and received no favors from the officials, who made a controversial call against Pavel Zacha for embellishment. Many fans slammed the decision, with some calling it the “worst call of all time.”
Jeremy Swayman made 27 saves against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, but it wasn’t enough as the Bruins fell 4-1. The loss extended their skid to six games (0-5-1), and interim coach Joe Sacco appears to be struggling to spark the team.
Despite this rough stretch, the Bruins remain in 4th place in the Atlantic Division, though their win percentage has fallen below that of both the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens, who sit in 5th and 6th, respectively.
Controversial call on Pavel Zacha
Offensive struggles have plagued the Bruins recently, but Thursday’s game against the Lightning featured another obstacle: questionable officiating. In the second period, with the game still scoreless, Pavel Zacha dove to knock the puck out of the zone. The officials, however, raised their arms and called a penalty for embellishment.
Replay footage clearly showed Zacha was simply making a play for the puck, not diving, but the officials disagreed and sent him to the penalty box. Adding to the controversy, Lightning forward Brandon Hagel was also penalized for interference on the play—another call fans deemed incorrect. Social media erupted in frustration over the Zacha penalty:
“He was very clearly diving for the puck. Awful call,” one fan said.
“Can’t even make a play on the puck anymore smh,” another wrote.
“Worst. Embellishment. Call. Ever,” added a third.
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