You mean the NHL partners' Sportsnet?
- Biggus Richardus

One person...how about this?

Bottom line the guy shouldn't ref another game in this series - if he did in fact do as claimed then he should probably be heavily fined or fired because i think we can all agree thats not acceptable behaviour for a ref.

Bringing in past calls or past series is pointless as everybody can agree that reffing in the nhl is suspect at the best of times even more so in the playoffs when nobody knows what constitutes a penalty and what does not.
- DirtyDozen

This is the issue at hand. IF he did then he should be fined MAYBE fired. But the crap the players say to the refs and they get a 2 min penalty and move on. Prust will still have a job Watson might not. Prust can act like a clown Watson loses his cool and he loses his lively hood.

I am not going to say these two are exactly the same but the riots in Baltimore over a guy who died in police custody. People all up in arms without knowing the facts. Let the facts come out and made a judgment from there. The same principles apply here. Lets get the facts straight and then make a decision.

For the mean time Habs fans sound like a bunch of babies. There are only 3 people that know what happened. Prust, Watson, and the penalty box attendant.

Do you know what Prust said on the way to the box? Have any idea what he said while in the box looking down? I love how you Hab fans are all up in arms when almost everyone in the media is ripping Prust for this. Also making assumptions as to why the NHL hasn't fined Prust yet is another good example of speaking out on something you don't know about. When has the NHL EVERY rushed to fine someone or suspend them? Especially in a manner when integrity is being questioned. Sounds to me like you're grasping for straws as to why your team is down 2-0 in the series.
- Stripes77

That's my point. Sure maybe refs let the power get to their heads sometimes, but to think that the ref went on a tirade unprovoked? yeah right. You can't clearly see what prust is saying so for all we know, he's telling the ref "you're a piece of poop hackjob of a ref, you're a (frank)ing joke, oh, and I (frank)ed your wife."

So habs fans, stop playing the victim. Only one person in the incident came out and spoke publicly.... Prust... does that say anything? If the person claiming to do nothing wrong really didn't do anything wrong, why's he coming out defending himself after the game? If you have nothing to defend yourself about, why speak to media about it? If said player truly has a clear conscience.

WHen players get in fights do you see either one after the game saying that kind of poop?

Reporter: So what happened before the fight

Player: He called me a lot of bad names, he called me a wussy, a female dog, a punk, and a mother (frank)er. So I got mad an fought him

This is the issue at hand. IF he did then he should be fined MAYBE fired. But the crap the players say to the refs and they get a 2 min penalty and move on. Prust will still have a job Watson might not. Prust can act like a clown Watson loses his cool and he loses his lively hood.

I am not going to say these two are exactly the same but the riots in Baltimore over a guy who died in police custody. People all up in arms without knowing the facts. Let the facts come out and made a judgment from there. The same principles apply here. Lets get the facts straight and then make a decision.

For the mean time Habs fans sound like a bunch of babies. There are only 3 people that know what happened. Prust, Watson, and the penalty box attendant.
- Stripes77

Yeah but until they know the guy shouldn't be reffing this series any longer...if he was not in the wrong let him have another game but its only prudent to remove him from that series until such a time.

The officiating in today's NHL is a joke amongst pro sports. A penalty is a penalty every time. Can you imagine a baseball umpire not calling a strike because he dislikes the pitcher? After 25 years of watching hockey, I finally called it quits this week. Why bother watching it? The rules don't matter.

Yeah but until they know the guy shouldn't be reffing this series any longer...if he was not in the wrong let him have another game but its only prudent to remove him from that series until such a time.
- DirtyDozen

My guess is he won't work anymore this post season and if its found out he did nothing wrong he could have a real grievance. Prust going to the media is really a lose lose situation.

Words hurt his feelings LOL I loved the elbow pad toss

The officiating in today's NHL is a joke amongst pro sports. A penalty is a penalty every time. Can you imagine a baseball umpire not calling a strike because he dislikes the pitcher? After 25 years of watching hockey, I finally called it quits this week. Why bother watching it? The rules don't matter.
- GalacticStone

If officiating is what's changing your mind then clearly this isn't the sport for you...

Exactly. Ppl don't pay $250 a ticket to see what kind of egomaniac the ref is. He's supposed to call penalties, drop pucks, and blow whistles. Not act like a tough guy and berate players. Show me a nfl ref that does that? The refs should just make the right calls as often as they can and not hold any bias for anyone, good or bad. That's the main problem with the NHL is that it seems fixed. As if every ref is a WWE ref and that's why they struggle in U.S. markets. The U.S. Want a sport with rules, not a sport where some rules apply, sometimes, if the ref likes you.

Stew, I like all your articles but this is complete nonsense and confirms that the NHL has the lowest standard of officiating. The fact that you seem to brag about that fact is truly sad and if the league wants to do what's best for the sport they would can every guy with your mindset towards officiating in the NHL and bring in guys who will call the games by the book with no bias and who remain completely impartial. The standard should be NFL not WWE
- SmielmaN

Seriously you're gonna act like the nhl is the only sport where the refs may be a little biased? Is that a joke?



Mlb: you don't think Schilling, Clemens, Randy Johnson, Clayton Kershaw, etc get a bigger strike zone to work with than guys like j.a. happ, and Mike klopp? Really?

Nba: Yea Jordan, Reggie, Kobe, shaq, a.i. LeBron melo etc.... They don't get more calls than Terrence Ross or Tyrone lue? Lol

Nfl: Brady Peyton Rodgers etc. Tim couch mark Sanchez and Charlie Whitehurst. Don't think some of these guys get protected more than some of the other guys?


Guys like prust downie Cooke rinaldo willl always be called before a guy like datsyuk or Bergeron. Why because they've earned that reputation.

Please don't act like the nhl is the only sport with biased reffing

The officiating in today's NHL is a joke amongst pro sports. A penalty is a penalty every time. Can you imagine a baseball umpire not calling a strike because he dislikes the pitcher? After 25 years of watching hockey, I finally called it quits this week. Why bother watching it? The rules don't matter.
- GalacticStone

See above comment

Seriously you're gonna act like the nhl is the only sport where the refs may be a little biased? Is that a joke?



Mlb: you don't think Schilling, Clemens, Randy Johnson, Clayton Kershaw, etc get a bigger strike zone to work with than guys like j.a. happ, and Mike klopp? Really?

Nba: Yea Jordan, Reggie, Kobe, shaq, a.i. LeBron melo etc.... They don't get more calls than Terrence Ross or Tyrone lue? Lol

Nfl: Brady Peyton Rodgers etc. Tim couch mark Sanchez and Charlie Whitehurst. Don't think some of these guys get protected more than some of the other guys?


Guys like prust downie Cooke rinaldo willl always be called before a guy like datsyuk or Bergeron. Why because they've earned that reputation.

Please don't act like the nhl is the only sport with biased reffing
- tweaver3312

This is the issue at hand. IF he did then he should be fined MAYBE fired. But the crap the players say to the refs and they get a 2 min penalty and move on. Prust will still have a job Watson might not. Prust can act like a clown Watson loses his cool and he loses his lively hood.

I am not going to say these two are exactly the same but the riots in Baltimore over a guy who died in police custody. People all up in arms without knowing the facts. Let the facts come out and made a judgment from there. The same principles apply here. Lets get the facts straight and then make a decision.

For the mean time Habs fans sound like a bunch of babies. There are only 3 people that know what happened. Prust, Watson, and the penalty box attendant.
- Stripes77

Have you gone to Habs blogs and read their comments about the game? The main complaint is the fact that this team can't score a damn goal. Their PP sucks. Their PK is horrendous.

Majority of Habs fan think Prust embarrassed the logo in front of the Jersey.

This is an issue in the NHL. Has nothing to do with the team playing. Yeah Habs fans are pissed because it happened to their team, but insert any agitator in place of Prust and the problem is huge. (frank), if Watson told Lucic off, although I'd be happy as (frank), I think his ass should be fired.

The NHL referee is there to enforce the rule during a game. If a player like Subban dives and makes them look bad for calling the other guy, it is not their job to "get back at him". There's a disciplinary discipline for this. If a guy tells the ref "(frank) off you dirty slut, you mom has better vision with my cum in her eyes", he has the power to kick him out. He does NOT have the authority to tell him off. If he can't keep his emotions in check, then he needs to get a garage league job.

If Prust said anything, I'm OK with the 2 and could have gotten a game I wouldn't care. The issue at hand is Watson pointed a player off and anyone with a brain can imagine what was said wasn't far off from Prusts claim. He should get suspended from these playoffs and potentially fired to be made an example of.

The worst part about this is it has exposed the NHL in the worst possible way. Frazer and now Stewart both are admitting of the refs acting like god. Their job, and ONLY job is to enforce the rulebook as it is written. Let the governing body handle the rest. Instead we've found out that two of the most popular refs belong to a "brotherhood" and have a little "blackbook". They talk before games and decide how the night will be officiated. Seems they believe they are an untouchable union and can decide the outcome of a game.

Another important part was Brian Wilde's article. How he's exposed the NHL and their partner network on what they are allowed to say or not say.

What ever team you cheer for, you should be thankful of what Prust did. Next time your teams most hated player gets cross checked in the face, gets nothing, but turns around and gets a 2 for a little slash on the leg, you can guarantee it's due to a ref hating that pest.

Seriously you're gonna act like the nhl is the only sport where the refs may be a little biased? Is that a joke?



Mlb: you don't think Schilling, Clemens, Randy Johnson, Clayton Kershaw, etc get a bigger strike zone to work with than guys like j.a. happ, and Mike klopp? Really?

Nba: Yea Jordan, Reggie, Kobe, shaq, a.i. LeBron melo etc.... They don't get more calls than Terrence Ross or Tyrone lue? Lol

Nfl: Brady Peyton Rodgers etc. Tim couch mark Sanchez and Charlie Whitehurst. Don't think some of these guys get protected more than some of the other guys?


Guys like prust downie Cooke rinaldo willl always be called before a guy like datsyuk or Bergeron. Why because they've earned that reputation.

Please don't act like the nhl is the only sport with biased reffing
- tweaver3312

Very well said. The NHL's biggest problem IMO is they themselves changed the standard of how they want the game called not the officials. The officials work for the league they call the game the league wants it called.

Seriously you're gonna act like the nhl is the only sport where the refs may be a little biased? Is that a joke?



Mlb: you don't think Schilling, Clemens, Randy Johnson, Clayton Kershaw, etc get a bigger strike zone to work with than guys like j.a. happ, and Mike klopp? Really?

Nba: Yea Jordan, Reggie, Kobe, shaq, a.i. LeBron melo etc.... They don't get more calls than Terrence Ross or Tyrone lue? Lol

Nfl: Brady Peyton Rodgers etc. Tim couch mark Sanchez and Charlie Whitehurst. Don't think some of these guys get protected more than some of the other guys?


Guys like prust downie Cooke rinaldo willl always be called before a guy like datsyuk or Bergeron. Why because they've earned that reputation.

Please don't act like the nhl is the only sport with biased reffing
- tweaver3312

I 100% agree and it's a damn shame. All major sports league protect their best players and get back at the players they hate. It doesn't make it right.

Something always goes public for different reasons. Steroids, Concussions, now maybe it'll be ref bias or league conspiracy. Something new is coming.

Have you gone to Habs blogs and read their comments about the game? The main complaint is the fact that this team can't score a damn goal. Their PP sucks. Their PK is horrendous.

Majority of Habs fan think Prust embarrassed the logo in front of the Jersey.

This is an issue in the NHL. Has nothing to do with the team playing. Yeah Habs fans are pissed because it happened to their team, but insert any agitator in place of Prust and the problem is huge. (frank), if Watson told Lucic off, although I'd be happy as (frank), I think his ass should be fired.

The NHL referee is there to enforce the rule during a game. If a player like Subban dives and makes them look bad for calling the other guy, it is not their job to "get back at him". There's a disciplinary discipline for this. If a guy tells the ref "(frank) off you dirty slut, you mom has better vision with my cum in her eyes", he has the power to kick him out. He does NOT have the authority to tell him off. If he can't keep his emotions in check, then he needs to get a garage league job.

If Prust said anything, I'm OK with the 2 and could have gotten a game I wouldn't care. The issue at hand is Watson pointed a player off and anyone with a brain can imagine what was said wasn't far off from Prusts claim. He should get suspended from these playoffs and potentially fired to be made an example of.

The worst part about this is it has exposed the NHL in the worst possible way. Frazer and now Stewart both are admitting of the refs acting like god. Their job, and ONLY job is to enforce the rulebook as it is written. Let the governing body handle the rest. Instead we've found out that two of the most popular refs belong to a "brotherhood" and have a little "blackbook". They talk before games and decide how the night will be officiated. Seems they believe they are an untouchable union and can decide the outcome of a game.

Another important part was Brian Wilde's article. How he's exposed the NHL and their partner network on what they are allowed to say or not say.

What ever team you cheer for, you should be thankful of what Prust did. Next time your teams most hated player gets cross checked in the face, gets nothing, but turns around and gets a 2 for a little slash on the leg, you can guarantee it's due to a ref hating that pest.
- l3ig_l2ecl

You're talking to a fan of a team that employed Matt Barnaby and Pat Kaleta. Nothing drives me more nuts then when these two clowns did something stupid. They built a reputation they can live on that sword.

Ref's yell at players and coaches all the time especially when they are out of line. Don't like getting yelled at? Don't be a jacka$$ where the ref tells you to knock it off.

Very well said. The NHL's biggest problem IMO is they themselves changed the standard of how they want the game called not the officials. The officials work for the league they call the game the league wants it called.
- Stripes77

I'm not gonna lie, I personally am a fan of the two different games. Its the only sport, other than Nba, that has two different feels.

The regular season is way more tightly called with ticky tack stuff, and leads to a different feel.

Playoffs have more ticky tack stuff let go, and the players play differently too. Between more disciplined and refs not wanting to be the reason a team loses its season with a blown penalty, it makes a lot of sense to me.

And I enjoy the step from regular season to playoff hockey.

Its not called the best playoffs in sports for nothin.

You're talking to a fan of a team that employed Matt Barnaby and Pat Kaleta. Nothing drives me more nuts then when these two clowns did something stupid. They built a reputation they can live on that sword.

Ref's yell at players and coaches all the time especially when they are out of line. Don't like getting yelled at? Don't be a jacka$$ where the ref tells you to knock it off.
- Stripes77

They have a (frank)ing whistle. Use it. They have stripes and know hand signals. Use them.

They should not ever talk back to a coach or a player. This is the problem. The only time they should talk is when they have to open that stupid little mic for a penalty call for those who don't know hand signals.

They have a (frank)ing whistle. Use it. They have stripes and know hand signals. Use them.

They should not ever talk back to a coach or a player. This is the problem. The only time they should talk is when they have to open that stupid little mic for a penalty call for those who don't know hand signals.
- l3ig_l2ecl

You're so wrong its pure comedy gold. But keep thinking what you want. My knowledge on the subject aside how many times do you see players whining to an official? Or coaches? But they aren't allowed to speak back? There has been many times where refs have put a coach in his place or a player. Most of the time when a ref is talking sternly to a player they are giving them a break when it comes to the penalty time.

I don't remember Rangers fans getting all up in arms when Torts got told off by an official. Oh that's right cause they aren't from Montreal...

How is it clear referees aren't being impartial on the ice? That's not clear at all. Montreal got breaks in the first round, including a really dumb spear on the Ottawa goalie that went uncalled.

I'm sure all Prust was saying was "Yeah, ok, Yeah, ok." Because that's what makes sense. But hey, who knows. Maybe the officials will do Montreal a favour and land Prust a suspension.He certainly could have been handed a few match penalties, both in this round and the last. Having an AHL caliber enforcer isn't exactly helping the team's cause.
- Tangled

Anderson speared Prust first. My theory is that if you can give some you can take some as well.

I 100% agree and it's a damn shame. All major sports league protect their best players and get back at the players they hate. It doesn't make it right.

Something always goes public for different reasons. Steroids, Concussions, now maybe it'll be ref bias or league conspiracy. Something new is coming.
- l3ig_l2ecl

I disagree with it being a shame. It actually makes a lot of sense. I go to games to see the stars play. Not the rinaldos, Jeff schultz, prust, Avery. I wanna see Giroux, Crosby, toews, etc. If protecting the stars keeps them on the court. Field or ice, I'm all for it to be honest.

And so are the leagues.

I still think were in the substance/domestic abuse phase of public bs. Reffing integrity was alreadydone in the Nba with the donahue thing.

Guess it does normally repeat though so who knows.

You're so wrong its pure comedy gold. But keep thinking what you want. My knowledge on the subject aside how many times do you see players whining to an official? Or coaches? But they aren't allowed to speak back? There has been many times where refs have put a coach in his place or a player. Most of the time when a ref is talking sternly to a player they are giving them a break when it comes to the penalty time.

I don't remember Rangers fans getting all up in arms when Torts got told off by an official. Oh that's right cause they aren't from Montreal...
- Stripes77

What you fail to realize is you're the one who is so wrong.

We're the customers, the players are the employees. The NHL is the product.
The referees? They're the ones who send the guideline PDF that your boss makes you sign once a year. they don't talk, they just send an email.

Seriously, I've never seen a sports fan who accepts the referee to be part of the game they watch. They are there to blow a whistle and enforce a rule book.
Maybe they should make a new sport for you. One where you actually cheer for the referees...

They have a (frank)ing whistle. Use it. They have stripes and know hand signals. Use them.

They should not ever talk back to a coach or a player. This is the problem. The only time they should talk is when they have to open that stupid little mic for a penalty call for those who don't know hand signals.
- l3ig_l2ecl

If the player lets the ref get in their head they don't deserve to be on the ice anyways. He acted like a cry baby and he should have been more worried about playing hockey than the mean names Watson called him.

If you watch the video you see Prust skating to the box and Watson behind him yapping, the. Prust sits and looks down and Watson keeps yapping and starts pointing his finger. Then Prust looks up and Watson gives him a energetic "T" for unsportsmanlike. Watson made himself look like a huge "jagoff" and he got called on it. Now the NHL has to investigate to see who was being the bigger idiot and being that Prust wasn't automatically hit with a fine the next morning has to tell you that Watson isn't a quiet little church mouse in this whole ordeal.

To me it seems like the "ref fraternity" has maybe let its collective egos get too big and perhaps hats why we have seen a downward trend in quality of officiating since the lockout ended in 2005.

Gotta love how Stewie here vilifies Prust but reserves judgement on his fraternal bro even though there video evidence of Watson running his mouth before giving Prust the extra 2. Seems like a huge Richard-move by Watson to run his mouth behind his stripes then tell someone else they're being unsportsmanlike.
- SmielmaN

You have some good points here...but what you don't see in the video is what causes Watson to follow him into the box yelling at him.

Something set him off. To think that he just chased after him for no apparent reason is really small minded.

They have a (frank)ing whistle. Use it. They have stripes and know hand signals. Use them.

They should not ever talk back to a coach or a player. This is the problem. The only time they should talk is when they have to open that stupid little mic for a penalty call for those who don't know hand signals.
- l3ig_l2ecl

So refs should just call everything. Never warning a player beforehand? Just keep their mouth shut and call what they want...

By your logic Im sure I'd have been tossed from a number of games myself.

The refs generally do a good job of letting me know where the line is, whether it be my stick work or my mouth, they give me a heads up, and its saved me from countless gamers.

I know I'm playing in beer leagues and roller leagues, but never the less as a guy who stirs the pot intentionally, vocal refs are my friend.

You sound like the dude from the movie Goon. You know the French one? Someone who's never gone in the corners. Either that or someone who's never seriously played the game.

I disagree with it being a shame. It actually makes a lot of sense. I go to games to see the stars play. Not the rinaldos, Jeff schultz, prust, Avery. I wanna see Giroux, Crosby, toews, etc. If protecting the stars keeps them on the court. Field or ice, I'm all for it to be honest.

And so are the leagues.

I still think were in the substance/domestic abuse phase of public bs. Reffing integrity was alreadydone in the Nba with the donahue thing.

Guess it does normally repeat though so who knows.
- tweaver3312

I go to the games to see the Montreal Canadiens play.
Don't get me wrong, I love hockey, but just like Football, I would rather watch NCAA football than any other team than my favorite team because there are no stars.

It's nice to see amazing goals such as the one Ovechkin scored this week, but It's not worth changing the rules around him.

Seeing Crosby get sneezed on and draw a penalty should not be part of the game.