I Watched This Game: Canucks Overcome 'Real Odd' Officiating in Win Over Blue Jackets
Drew O'Connor contributed two points in a significant regulation win for the Vancouver Canucks. Although officiating ideally shouldn't dominate the narrative, it was impossible to ignore during Saturday's game.
This match might have been the worst officiated NHL game I've witnessed, with missed calls affecting both teams. From a Canucks fan's viewpoint, it seemed many of the most glaring missed penalties were against Vancouver players. Watching closely, I noticed numerous instances of interference, tripping, and hooking on the Canucks.
Several clear penalties went uncalled:
- In the first period, Conor Garland suffered an obvious tripping foul.
- During the second period, Max Sasson was struck in the numbers, causing his helmet to come off.
- Tyler Myers was elbowed in the back of the head in the third period, notable given his elevated head position off the ice.
"But the most obvious missed call came in the dying seconds of the second period. Quinn Hughes was on the verge of a breakaway, and Ivan Provorov stuck his stick in Hughes’ midsection and pulled him back. It was like a shot out of a video meant to teach officials what hooking is, but referee Jordan Samuels-Thomas, staring right at the play, chose not to call a penalty, let alone a penalty shot."
Despite the troubling officiating, the Canucks managed to secure the win, demonstrating resilience under unusual circumstances.
Author’s summary: The Canucks triumphed in a tightly contested game overshadowed by missed calls, highlighting challenges in NHL officiating and the team’s resolve.