Canadiens Gallagher Calls Out Referee For Questionable Decision

A few moments later, the Flames were also penalized, on what can only be called the most evident example of a make-up call.

Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson did receive a cross-check, but he also added a little mustard to his flourish to make sure the referees noticed. They immediately obliged.

Personally, I hate blaming referees when things go wrong, but once in a while, some accountability is necessary.  This was a clear case of an official making a bad call, and then making another questionable call to erase his mistake.

Technically speaking, it evened out the calls, but it’s also true that the initial poor call directly impacted the game, something referees have a long history of doing in the NHL.

“It can’t happen,” said Gallagher after the game. “It’s a terrible call. You can’t make that mistake, simple as that. His partner was right there. Let him call it. The reason he called it is that the [Flames] bench makes some noise, and he reacts to it. It can’t happen.

“He can’t make that mistake. It’s obviously a really important part of the game, he’s in the neutral zone, and his partner is right there looking at it, he didn’t make a call, then the bench reacts and he makes a reactionary call. It can’t happen at this level, and he knows that.”