Jeremy Laura: Red Wings season on the line, awful defense hands CBJ the win

The missed high stick an Eddy sealed it for CBJ. Hate when the missed called and blind refs decide a game.

The missed high stick an Eddy sealed it for CBJ. Hate when the missed called and blind refs decide a game.
- HenryHockey

It’s more than that. Yes, non call. But giving up that many goals on those few shots? The team isn’t playing D and are back to trying to outscore horrible play in front of their net

It’s more than that. Yes, non call. But giving up that many goals on those few shots? The team isn’t playing D and are back to trying to outscore horrible play in front of their net
- Jeremy Laura

100 percent. That can’t be emphasized enough.

The only things worse than the Wings D was the ESPN coverage and the officiating. That was Gary Bettman making sure Columbus dwon.

It’s more than that. Yes, non call. But giving up that many goals on those few shots? The team isn’t playing D and are back to trying to outscore horrible play in front of their net
- Jeremy Laura

No, you missed the point. If that goal was taken away then it would still be a tied game and going into OT. The refs decided this game.

The only things worse than the Wings D was the ESPN coverage and the officiating. That was Gary Bettman making sure Columbus dwon.
- Iago

Bettman trying to create $ off of tragedy. Par for
The course

No, you missed the point. If that goal was taken away then it would still be a tied game and going into OT. The refs decided this game.
- HenryHockey

They did on that goal, but how did it get to that point? You’re right in the d dropping the ball, but re tampering could easily be investigated on that. Understand the point

They did on that goal, but how did it get to that point? You’re right in the d dropping the ball, but re tampering could easily be investigated on that. Understand the point
- Jeremy Laura

The only things worse than the Wings D was the ESPN coverage and the officiating. That was Gary Bettman making sure Columbus dwon.
- Iago

What a bush-league post. Yes, it was a tough call to swallow, but a case could be made it wasn't a high sticking penalty, and two professional officials saw it the same way and made no call. They are both better refs than you.

So, Merzlikins' 46 saves were only a set up so the CBJ could win, and the fact the Wings fought back in the 3rd to tie it up was baked into the script by the NHL office for drama's sake.

I get so tired of the 'refs cheat, NHL is fixed' garbage. If you really think that people who bust their tails for years to become NHL officials cheat, then go watch U of M or MSU hockey and ignore the professional stuff.

What a bush-league post. Yes, it was a tough call to swallow, but a case could be made it wasn't a high sticking penalty, and two professional officials saw it the same way and made no call. They are both better refs than you.

So, Merzlikins' 46 saves were only a set up so the CBJ could win, and the fact the Wings fought back in the 3rd to tie it up was baked into the script by the NHL office for drama's sake.

I get so tired of the 'refs cheat, NHL is fixed' garbage. If you really think that people who bust their tails for years to become NHL officials cheat, then go watch U of M or MSU hockey and ignore the professional stuff.
- jkumpire

Easy. Refs get it wrong. The MLB just frogwalked a ref for betting on his own games via a friend’s app. Dude’s just venting on a play that made a difference. To pretend that the insider stuff doesn’t happen is to ignore more than a century of it happening. Whether that’s the case or not, who knows. But as more gambling is involved it’s going to be more scrutinized. From fixing a World Series to a half dozen FIFA refs fired for betting on games in the past several years. Sucks,, but it happens

Here are the “top 11” according to one site: https://ftw.usatoday.com/...n-sports-gambling-history

From another site: 4) The NBA Referee Scandal

In 2007, there was a case of NBA referee Tim Donaghy caught betting on games. He did not only bet but also manipulated the way he refereed the game to ensure that he won his bet. He was arrested and jailed. This was a huge scandal because referees are supposed to be fair. People lost trust in basketball for a while.

This is the umpire story. Swears he didn’t bet, but deleted conversations during the investigation. Can now return to the league in 2026 at earliest. https://www.sportingnews..../9158cc0445d277bd8240605d

Easy. Refs get it wrong. The MLB just frogwalked a ref for betting on his own games via a friend’s app. Dude’s just venting on a play that made a difference. To pretend that the insider stuff doesn’t happen is to ignore more than a century of it happening. Whether that’s the case or not, who knows. But as more gambling is involved it’s going to be more scrutinized. From fixing a World Series to a half dozen FIFA refs fired for betting on games in the past several years. Sucks,, but it happens

Here are the “top 11” according to one site: https://ftw.usatoday.com/...n-sports-gambling-history

From another site: 4) The NBA Referee Scandal

In 2007, there was a case of NBA referee Tim Donaghy caught betting on games. He did not only bet but also manipulated the way he refereed the game to ensure that he won his bet. He was arrested and jailed. This was a huge scandal because referees are supposed to be fair. People lost trust in basketball for a while.

This is the umpire story. Swears he didn’t bet, but deleted conversations during the investigation. Can now return to the league in 2026 at earliest. https://www.sportingnews..../9158cc0445d277bd8240605d
- Jeremy Laura

Finally, one of the FIFA scandals, others out there: https://www.nbcsports.com...or-life-for-taking-bribes

Jeremy, thank you for the reply.

I understand that Iago (interesting name there!) was letting off steam after the game. I tried to acknowledge that in my post, it was a hard call against Detroit and did not look great on TV. I've heard it before.

However, and mostly because of the gambling addictions pro sports are enabling, refs are dumped on after every game from the losing team these days. I've officiated multiple sports for decades on different levels, I'm tired of seeing and hearing how officials are out to cheat one side or the other.

People who take officiating seriously hate this, partly because a lot of people who could be good officials are not even thinking about doing it; the stress and abuse we officials take is getting worse. And yes, there are dirty officials, I am all too aware of the scandals as you are.

Having said that, the officiating crew last night did a great job in an emotional, hard fought game. Fans need to think about what they post after the game.

Jeremy, thank you for the reply.

I understand that Iago (interesting name there!) was letting off steam after the game. I tried to acknowledge that in my post, it was a hard call against Detroit and did not look great on TV. I've heard it before.

However, and mostly because of the gambling addictions pro sports are enabling, refs are dumped on after every game from the losing team these days. I've officiated multiple sports for decades on different levels, I'm tired of seeing and hearing how officials are out to cheat one side or the other.

People who take officiating seriously hate this, partly because a lot of people who could be good officials are not even thinking about doing it; the stress and abuse we officials take is getting worse. And yes, there are dirty officials, I am all too aware of the scandals as you are.

Having said that, the officiating crew last night did a great job in an emotional, hard fought game. Fans need to think about what they post after the game.
- jkumpire

Glad to do what I can. That said, the officiating and supplemental discipline (opinion) have been getting worse each year. With 2 major broadcast partners owning gambling sites and more outside that fray I do believe it’s had an effect. A crop of veteran refs have left, and whether it’s inexperience or intent the quality of what they’re doing on the ice is having major effects on games. I used to believe the same, but I see more and more sports and owners looking to replace refs with AI, computer and sensor driven play etc. the MLB practiced using AI strike zones last year at spring break. Sucks to lose the human element, but always comes up in big games. Hoping that’s not how things end up, but seems to be headed that way.

Horrible defensive play has reared its head (again), which is no surprise. The Red Wings will be on the outside looking in when the regular season ends.

Horrible defensive play has reared its head (again), which is no surprise. The Red Wings will be on the outside looking in when the regular season ends.
- Bigfrog

With what Fla paid for Jones, yeah, it seems like outside help for the top 4 is going to be hard to find.