Shocking Video Reveals Referee Allegedly Rigging Game Between The Tampa Bay Lighting And The Montreal Canadiens
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Samer Dagher
Jan 1, 2024 (5:59 PM)
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Photo credit: Scouting The Refs
Last night, a video capturing an NHL referee apparently influencing a game between the Lightning and the Canadiens has gone viral.
Canadiens Defenseman Kovacevic Scores One Of The Most Bizarre Goals Of All Time
The controversy unfolded when Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jonathan Kovacevic scored an extraordinary goal from his own end during the second period. A miscommunication led the Lightning to believe the play was dead, allowing Kovacevic to shoot at the empty net.
This is the most bizarre thing I've ever seen.
The whistle never blows, music starts playing in the arena and Kovacevic recognizes that Johansson left the TBL net because he thought play was dead.
Insane goal.
The whistle never blows, music starts playing in the arena and Kovacevic recognizes that Johansson left the TBL net because he thought play was dead.
Insane goal.
Jonathan Kovacevic gets an empty net goal after there was no whistle! Literally so free!
Despite the bizarre goal, the Lightning secured a 4-3 victory in regulation. However, a video surfaced today, revealing an angle that appears to show the referee preparing to blow the whistle, then retracting it, and instructing Kovacevic to continue playing, contrary to the players assumption that the play was stopped.
Former NHL goaltender Mike McKenna offered his thoughts of the situation blaming it on the arena DJ, who played music signaling a stopped play. While some argue that players should play until they hear a whistle, McKenna emphasized the impact of hearing music in the arena.
"You know who's fault this is? The in-house DJ. Itchy finger on the jams. Started playing music despite not hearing a whistle.
Sometimes players can't hear the whistle on the ice. But the moment you hear music, you know play has stopped.
Eek"
Sometimes players can't hear the whistle on the ice. But the moment you hear music, you know play has stopped.
Eek"
While questions arise about the referee's decision, it did not impact the game's outcome, with the Lightning securing the win.
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