Wow, the league got one RIGHT against Pittsburgh. Bettman was probably fuming that both refs called it no goal on the ice, making it that much harder for him to gift Pittsburgh with the tying goal.
If it was Dino Ciccarelli or some other Canadian born cherry picker the NHL wouldnt have a problem with it. Also, they shouldnt call a player out by name. That just backs up the fact that there are "penalties by reputation." With all these younger refs the NHL shouldnt be seen as slightly agreeing with that notion.
That's the problem I have too. You don't call out a player by name because now you've put the name in the heads of the refs.
You think we'd ever see quotes like this?
"Finally, coaches and general managers were also told diving and embellishing will be watched closely.
The Ottawa Senators are sure to remind round one officials of this on a game by game basis as Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby has mastered the art of diving and embellishing contact in order to draw a penalty on the opposing team."
When we're allowed to have six or seven guys on the ice in the SCF for 30+ seconds without a too-many-men call, then I'll believe that the officiating isn't biased, but merely incompetent.