Golden Knights Rip Referee After Controversial No-Call Costs Them Against Oilers
The Vegas Golden Knights didn’t hold back after dropping Game 2 of their second-round series to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, falling 5-4 in overtime.
Vegas was livid over referee Gord Dwyer’s decision not to call a tripping penalty on Viktor Arvidsson just 17 seconds before Leon Draisaitl scored the game-winner.
Defenseman Brayden McNabb was tripped by Arvidsson’s stick, causing McNabb to crash into the boards shoulder-first deep in overtime. Despite the clear infraction, Dwyer kept his arm down, and McNabb had to leave the game injured. Moments later, Draisaitl capitalized on a 2-on-1 pass from Connor McDavid to secure the victory for Edmonton.
“Gord’s looking right at it, and he missed the call,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “It’s a dangerous play, a can-opener trip — all of it. But the call wasn’t made, so we had to keep going.”
Cassidy did not provide an update on McNabb’s injury status for Game 3, which is set for Saturday in Edmonton. Losing McNabb, a key defenseman, would be a tough blow for Vegas as they try to recover after dropping the first two games of the series at home.
“It’s pretty obvious it’s a penalty,” Vegas captain Mark Stone said. “His stick goes between McNabb’s legs, and he sends him headfirst into the boards. It’s a clear penalty in my eyes, and I think in everyone’s eyes. But that’s hockey — you don’t always get the calls.”
Meanwhile, Edmonton goaltender Calvin Pickard made a pair of crucial saves in the final 30 seconds of regulation before McDavid sped past Jack Eichel to set up Draisaitl’s overtime goal.
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