The Flyers Suffered Some Questionable Calls... Again
I’m not one for blaming the refs all of the time. Officiating is a tough job. Aside from having to keep up on the ice with the speed of play, maintaining adequate positioning for the best line of sight, and dealing with a raucous crowd, refs are the first to be blamed and the last to be heralded for making a call. In today’s Flyers/Islanders game, hockey fans were treated to one of the most egregious calls of the year. Check out this “high-sticking” penalty that earned Flyers’ defenseman Robert Hägg a double minor:
Brock Nelson high sticks his own teammate, so naturally Robert Hagg got four minutes for high sticking.
Makes sense 🤔 pic.twitter.com/hgFH6laVdf
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) March 23, 2019
That’s right, folks. Robert Hägg was called hit with a double minor for high sticking WHILE HIS STICK WAS ON THE ICE.
That had to be the worst call of the day. The worst non-call? How’s this hit on Sean Couturier for ya?
Matt Martin boards Sean Couturier … no call. pic.twitter.com/CDMkpMYQgG
— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) March 23, 2019
You think he took it well?
Sean Couturier is pissed. pic.twitter.com/ftpfFRPYBe
— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) March 23, 2019
Looks like the check on Couturier from Matt Martin was right between his numbers and Coots went crown-of-his-head-first into the boards. That was far more dangerous than what Voracek was suspended for. But unless he misses time, there won't be a suspension.
— Anthony SanFilippo (@AntSanPhilly) March 23, 2019
Not only did Matt Martin hit Coots between the numbers, he extended his arms to drive him head-first into the boards. In my estimation, Martin either intended to injure Couturier, or he’s just a positionally-unaware fool. So yeah. Enjoy your Saturday.
