Former NHL enforcer and current TNT Sports commentator Paul Bissonnette has called for an official investigation into the Florida Panthers following new allegations that a referee intentionally influenced the outcome of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Game 5 loss in their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series.
Bissonnette, known for his candid commentary on the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast, expressed his concerns after reviewing footage of the game, which ended with a decisive 6–1 victory for the Panthers on May 14. He highlighted a controversial no-goal call in the second period, where Morgan Rielly’s apparent game-tying goal was disallowed despite replays showing the puck crossing the line before the whistle blew. Bissonnette questioned whether the referee’s decision was influenced by external factors, suggesting the possibility of intentional bias.
This incident adds to a series of contentious officiating decisions in the series. Earlier in the playoffs, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice was fined $25,000 by the NHL for criticizing referees after a loss to the Maple Leafs, accusing them of favoritism toward Toronto . Additionally, a no-call on a trip involving Panthers’ forward Sam Reinhart during Game 2 sparked further outrage among fans and analysts, who felt the officiating was inconsistent .
Bissonnette’s call for an investigation underscores growing concerns over officiating integrity in the NHL. While the league has yet to comment on the allegations, the controversy has intensified scrutiny of refereeing standards during the playoffs.
Leave a Reply