I Watched This Game: Canucks Overcome Odd Officiating in Win Over Blue Jackets
Drew O'Connor recorded two points in a significant regulation victory for the Vancouver Canucks.
Officiating became an unavoidable part of the story on Saturday night. It might have been one of the most poorly officiated NHL games I've seen, with missed calls affecting both teams.
Some of the most obvious missed penalties seemed to harm the Canucks, though this could reflect the perspective of watching the game focused on Vancouver's play. This angle makes it easier to spot when Canucks players are interfered with, tripped, or hooked.
Nevertheless, no bias is needed to see the blatant fouls that went uncalled.
- In the first period, Conor Garland was clearly tripped, one of the most obvious tripping penalties imaginable.
- During the second period, Max Sasson was hit directly in the numbers, causing his helmet to come off.
- In the third period, Tyler Myers was elbowed in the back of the head, notable given the height of his head off the ice.
- The most glaring missed call happened in the final seconds of the second period: Quinn Hughes was about to break away when Ivan Provorov hooked him in the midsection, pulling 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."
This game highlighted serious flaws in officiating that influenced the flow, yet the Canucks managed to secure the win despite these challenges.
"You never want officiating to be the story of the game, but it was unavoidable."
Author's summary: The Canucks triumphed despite several clear missed penalties and questionable officiating that nearly overshadowed the game's outcome.