Referee caught on camera breaking rule to help the Bruins

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Josh tupper
April 15, 2022 (8:07)

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This is something I can honestly say in my 30+ years of NHL fandom I've never seen. Referees and linesmen are accused of having bias all the time, but other than an incident involving Tim Peel, you don't often see it publicly. That's why this play from last night's Bruins versus Senators game has really gained traction.

On a play where Curtis Lazar attempts to send the puck around the end boards, the puck strikes the skate of an official. While an unfortunate situation, it's not uncommon. This pass would have easily made it to the other Bruin behind the not. As a member of the Senators closed in on the puck, the referee did the unthinkable. He looked towards the Bruin defender and kicked the puck directly to his stick, away from the Senators player.

Rule 85.4 covers all the situations where a puck may strike an official.

Play shall not be stopped if the puck touches an official anywhere on the rink, regardless of whether a team is shorthanded or not.

A puck that deflects back into the defending zone off an official who is in the neutral zone, will be deemed to be off-side as per Rule 83 � Off-side.

The puck striking or deflecting off an official does not automatically nullify a potential icing.

When a puck deflects off an official and goes out of play, the ensuing face-off will take place at the face-off spot in the zone nearest to where the puck deflected off the official.

If a goal is scored as a result of being deflected directly into the net off an official, the goal shall not be allowed.

There is no information provided in the rule about the referee performing a "corrective action" after being struck by a puck. Similar plays in the past have even resulted in goals being scored after a referee was struck.

Ultimately the officials are considered in play at times, so there is no excuse for this action, especially at the NHL level. Given the year officials have had this year, expect this to go under the microscope as well.