Tag: Wes McCauley

Categories
Hockey Feed

Officiating scandal flares up following Game 1 in Toronto!

Twitter / EDIT

If you ask the Toronto Maple Leafs : it wasn’t supposed to be this way. The Tampa Bay Lightning built a 3-0 lead in the first period and humiliated the Maple Leafs 7-3 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Tuesday.

Despite the Maple Leafs coming out flat and Ilya Samsonov allowing six goals on 29 shots before getting replaced by Joseph Woll to start the third period, fans are still focused on the potential officiating scandal that emerged ahead of the contest yesterday.

Referee Wes McCauley called Game 1 action, but there appears to be a conflict of interest. Most of us remember the David Frost and Mike Danton scandal, right? David Frost was a former junior coach turned NHL player agent who was accused of sexually assaulting a number of underage hockey players, including Danton. Frost was acquitted of the charges and Danton was subsequently arrested and convicted for conspiring to murder Frost.

Here is where McCauley comes in: he and Frost are brothers-in law and are reportedly very close. On the other side, Danton and Keefe are lifelong friends. The two grew up playing hockey together and were teammates on a junior team coached by Frost when the alleged abuse took place. Fast forward to Danton’s trial and it was Keefe who was on the stand testifying against Frost.

You see what we mean?

Well, several fans saw exactly what we were pointing to and took on social media to call out the officiating scandal in Toronto:

Captain John Tavares even appeared to blame the referees for the Game 1 loss and all the penalties than landed he and his teammates in the box.

On broadcast, former NHLer Chris Chelios called it “Absolutely terrible officiating. Worst in a while.”

The Maple Leafs host the Lightning for Game 2 on Thursday. Let’s see how this one goes…

Recommended articles:

Categories
Hockey Feed

Maple Leafs’ playoff record under referee Wes McCauley only adds to officiating scandal

NHL

The Toronto Maple Leafs are behind 0-1 in their first round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning after Tuesday’s humiliating 7-3 loss. While some blamed the performance of goalie Ilya Samsonov or the lack of discipline and energy across the Maple Leafs’ lineup, others, including captain John Tavares, have pointed at the officiating.

It’s no surprise seeing all the drama surrounding head coach Sheldon Keefe and referee Wes McCauley.

Most of us remember the David Frost and Mike Danton scandal, right? David Frost was a former junior coach turned NHL player agent who was accused of sexually assaulting a number of underage hockey players, including Danton. Frost was acquitted of the charges and Danton was subsequently arrested and convicted for conspiring to murder Frost.
Here is where McCauley comes in: he and Frost are brothers-in law and are reportedly very close. On the other side, Danton and Keefe are lifelong friends. The two grew up playing hockey together and were teammates on a junior team coached by Frost when the alleged abuse took place. Fast forward to Danton’s trial and it was Keefe who was on the stand testifying against Frost.

Scouting the Refs dug a little more and offered on Wednesday the Leafs’ playoff record under McCauley.

It does not look good:

This will only add fuel to the emerging scandal happening in Toronto with fans calling for justice in this conflict of interest.

But will they start blaming Wes McCauley too for the Maple Leafs’ lack of success in the postseason since 2004?! Come on, the Maple Leafs will need to focus on what they can control, stay disciplined and get the win in Game 2 before heading to Tampa. 

Recommended articles:

Categories
Hockey Feed

NHL ignores clear conflict of interest for officials in Leafs/Lightning Game 1

-

This just in, the Toronto Maple Leafs have made an emergency recall from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies this morning, calling up goaltender Erik Kallgren to serve as the team’s 3rd string goalie tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

It’s expected that Kallgren will act as the team’s 3rd man in goal behind Ilya Samsonov and Joseph Woll for the duration of the playoffs. There’s no timeline yet for Matt Murray’s return but… even if he were healthy enough to play, would you want him in goal over Samsonov or Woll? Unlikely…

According to TSN insider Chris Johnston, the NHL made a change to their rules, allowing the Leafs to call up Kallgren.

Check it out:

So… while we’re making up new rules, can the Bolts get some sort of freebie too?

You know what though, maybe it’ll even out because if you believe in officiating bias, the Leafs will have their backs up against the wall this evening.

Wes McCauley will be calling Game 1 action this evening, which is always interesting but well… there’s a lot more at play happening when McCauley refs a Leafs game than most fans could ever know. For those not in the know, let me lay it out to you in a bit of detail.

First off, trigger warning for any survivors of sexual abuse out there.

Okay, surely we all remember the David Frost and Mike Danton scandal, right? David Frost was a former junior coach turned NHL player agent who was accused of sexually assaulting a number of underage hockey players, including Danton. Frost was acquitted of the charges and Danton was subsequently arrested and convicted for conspiring to murder Frost.

Okay, stay with me…

Danton and Keefe are lifelong friends. The two grew up playing hockey together and were teammates on a junior team coached by Frost when the alleged abuse took place. Fast forward to Danton’s trial and it was Keefe who was on the stand testifying against Frost.

So… how does this all relate back to McCauley and tonight’s game? 

Well, Frost and McCauley are brothers-in law and are reportedly very close.

I’m not saying that this is a conflict of interest but… well… maybe that’s exactly what I’m saying.

Remember when Keefe was fined for shouting at McCauley? Yeah, makes sense now doesn’t it?