Flyers

The NHL Is “[Almost] As Upset As The Penguins” Over Blown Call

By Kyle Scott

Published: Apr 12th, 2012 · 2:23 PM EDT

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Of course they are! Sidney Crosby is in danger of golfing (or playing with his mobile…) early again.

Colin Campbell, the NHL’s executive vice president of whatever, pointed the finger at linesman Tony Sericolo, who blew an obvious offsides call on Danny Briere’s first goal. 

Campbell: [via TSN]

"There's no other way to explain it but a missed call," Campbell told The Canadian Press in an interview. "We're as upset as Pittsburgh almost. It's a mistake."

"There's always fallout," he said. "The referees and the linesmen are judged on the work they do as far as how they advance in doing games. If mistakes are made, no matter how difficult they are, there's got to be decisions made on who advances."

 

Translation: Pittsburgh is supposed to win. They HAVE TO win. Sidney Crosby! Malkin! Crosby! Bylsma's glasses! We’ll just make sure the officials compensate in Game 2.

Maybe I’m misinterpreting that, or maybe I’m not. 

Anyway, former referee Kerry Fraser and his excellent hair explained last night on TSN that the referee, in addition to the linesman, actually has the ability to make an offsides call. In this case, the ref was in better position, but could not overrule Sericolo, who had already waived off the offsides. Poor Penguins.

H/T to reader Patrick