The NHL is investigating an incident in which one of its referees was caught saying he “wanted to get” a penalty against the predators by winning the Detroit Red Wings Tuesday night in Nashville, Tennessee.
With 15:04 left in the second period, Predators striker Viktor Arvidsson was called up to step on Red Wings defender Jon Merrill in the offensive zone, although replays showed Merrill beautified. the fall to get the call.
Referees who officiated the match were veterans Tim Peel and Kelly Sutherland. Peel appeared to claim the penalty to Arvidsson from the center of the ice.
With 12:42 left for the second period, the Nashville broadcast captured the audio of an ice officer saying, “It wasn’t much, but I wanted to get a penalty against Nashville early.”
The NHL told ESPN he was “watching” the incident.
Nashville won the game 2-0.
Both teams were whistled for three penalties, while the Predators got a fourth to put the record on the glass in the third period.
Asked after the contest what the official was heard about, Nashville coach John Hynes said, “I think the situation is what it is. I think from our perspective, it probably doesn’t matter how I feel at the respect, in general; but the referees are employees of the league, and instead of commenting on them, I think it’s an issue that the league will have to consider. “
Hynes said “you always want to have fair things for your players and your team,” but that there are no excuses.
“We need to find a way to kill the penalty and control what we can control,” he said.