NHL referees hit all time low as referee tells a team they can't challenge a challengeable play

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S. Harper
April 22, 2022 (10:16 PM)

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Last night the Montreal Canadiens took on the Philadelphia Flyers in a battle of two non-playoff teams. Both teams have hopes of potentially drafting Shane Wright this year. So it's surprising that people are still talking about a nothing game even 24-hours after it finished.

So why is it still drawing interest?

However, many are still talking about this game and a very controversial moment. With the Flyers leading 2-0 the in first period the Canadiens would crash the net looking to get back in the game. Everyone was trying to get the puck in the crease area, when Brendan Gallagher used his hand to pass the puck to Mike Hoffman who would score to make it 2-1. But that is where the controversy began.

Carter Hart tried pleading his case with the officials to no avail. Flyers Head Coach, Mike Yeo wanted to challenge the goal, but the referees called it a good goal and informed the Flyers they couldn't challenge it. Unfortunately for the referees they were wrong about whether this play was reviewable.

Some fans blamed the Flyers for sleeping on the play and not asking for a review, however, insider Pierre LeBrun revealed that the Flyers did infact ask for a review of the hand pass and were were told, incorrectly, that the play was not reviewable.

I'm now told the refs told the Flyers coaching staff they could not challenge that play. Which explains why the Flyers didn't. And that's a mistake by the officials.

The Flyers would go to win this game 6-3 but just imagine if that call occured in a playoff series? Or even worse during the Stanley Cup Finals?

The NHL's protection of it's officials needs to stop because it's creating an environment where referees are free to make mistakes at will.