It wouldn't be a Toronto Vs Tampa game without some sort of controversy involving the officials. I'll admit that bias may be a factor in this one. After all, I still remember what the officials did in Games 6 and 7 last season between these two teams. You'll find no sugar coating here. Tampa is a dirty hockey team and the referees don't seem to just allow it - they seem to encourage it.
At the end of the first period during Tuesday's tilt between the Leafs and Lightning, William Nylander fell behind the net while on the power play. Mitch Marner went back for the loose puck and was absolutely drilled from behind by Tampa forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. The Leafs on the ice came to Marner's aid and a scrum ensued with Michael Bunting at the centre of it, as he usually is. In the end, the penalties on the play were offsetting roughing minors to Bunting and Bellemare. The hit on Marner went uncalled.
The shocking part came while referee Dan Kelly was escorting Bunting off the ice. The Scarborough native was livid after the hit on Marner and wasn't finished berating every Lightning player within earshot. Kelly then decided to shove Bunting though the gate leading down the tunnel. Bunting was clearly not ready for it and nearly fell over backwards.
The problem here is that if Bunting had defended himself by pushing back, he would have been ejected and more than likely face a fine or suspension afterwards. Officials simply can not handle players like this unless they are willing to accept some pushback from the players. We all know that will never happen, so maybe it's best for Mr. Kelly to keep his hands to himself next time.
