Fans Call For NHL Referee To Be Fired After Horrible Call

NHL referees have gained a reputation in recent years for being highly sensitive to criticism. With a directive to clamp down on any form of criticism, officials have handed out more unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the last two seasons than ever before.

This trend continued tonight during a preseason game between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. As the Lightning dumped the puck into the zone, Mikey Eyssimont was impeded by an out-of-position referee, resulting in a turnover.

In frustration, Eyssimont voiced his displeasure with the referee as he exited the zone. Instead of acknowledging the error, the referee promptly assessed Eyssimont with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.




This incident underscores the league's efforts to defend its referees' performance and minimize criticism, even when questionable calls occur on the ice.

As seen on bladeofsteel