The Vancouver Canucks had a three-goal lead against the Colorado Avalanche but somehow blew it and lost in OT after allowing four straight goals.
And postgame, fans were absolutely furious with the officiating. Nikita Zadorov had a Gordie Howe hat trick after a goal, an assist in the first and early in the second period, and a tilt in the second with Colorado’s Josh Manson.
Manson had smashed J.T. Miller into the end boards in the final minutes of the first period.
He was assessed a two-minute minor for an illegal check to the head, but fans were sure he deserved a five-minute major and a game misconduct.
Colorado scored with three seconds left of the second period, and later in the third, the Avs were handed a 5-on-3 on a soft hooking penalty early in the second, which allowed Colorado to make it 3-2. Five minutes later, they tied the game 3-3.
Postgame, Canucks’ head coach Rick Tocchet wouldn’t blame the OT loss on the officials.
”I know people are going to talk about soft calls here and there but I’m not going to blame the refs,” said Tocchet. ”To me, it was just we were soft on pucks, bottom line.”
But no matter what you think about the officiating in the game, they also provided some entertainment.
After Quinn Hughes was called on a questionable interference penalty, the Canucks’ captain was upset.
Hughes refused to leave the referee alone as he announced the call on the hot mic. The referee, Kyle Rehman, responded with a tone that sounded something like a parent would use to get their kids to go to their room, as he politely but firmly said, ”Go to the box, please. Go to the box, please. Now.”
The hilarious video quickly went viral, and everyone found it perfect. Although Vancouver’s night ended in disappointment, we’re glad we got to see the great moment between a strict referee and Quinn Hughes.
