Did the referees miss a big call for the Leafs in Game 5?

Published April 28, 2023 at 3:07 PM
BY AUSTIN KELLY

Potential missed penalty in Game 5 of Toronto vs Tampa

A controversial missed call for Tampa in Game 5 is raising discussion.

In the end of the second period of Game 5, Lightning Forward Patrick Maroon laid a massive hit on Maple Leafs Defenseman Mark Giordano.

This led to a scirmish between the two teams, with Lightning and Maple Leafs players getting tangled in a fight, having to be broken up by the refs.

Patrick Maroon was given a roughing call on Giordano to start the 3rd period, but some fans believe the refs missed an even greater penalty.

According to Maple Leafs Insider, the NHL rulebook states the following rule, as states.

"According to the NHL rulebook's rule 43 - Checking From Behind, there is no minor penalty, only a major is an option. The play would be reviewable, but the officials would not have the option to reduce it to a minor. It would either be a 5-minute major or nothing at all."

Rule 41 of the NHL rulebook on Boarding also states,

"A boarding penalty shall be imposed on any player who checks or pushes a defenseless opponent in such a manner causes the opponent to hit or impact the boards violently or dangerously. The severity of the penalty, based upon the impact of the boards, shall be at the discretion of the referee."

However, if it was to be called as a check from behind, according to Rule 43.2, there is no minor penalty for checking from behind, which could indicate that if the refs felt the play did not warrant a major, that roughing was the correct call as the play did not warrant a major, but could not be called as the intended play of boarding.

Leafs Head Coach Sheldon Keefe said he was "concerned" by the Maroon hit, but did not directly criticize Maroon, or any other party, over the play.

Keefe also confirmed Giordano is "doing ok" following the hit. Giordano stayed in for Game 5.

Thankfully, while Giordano was not hurt, and was able to stay in the game, Leafs fans will likely not be happy to see a confusing play go unanswered.

As read on Maple Leafs Insider - How the officials screwed the Leafs on Pat Maroon's 2nd period penalty

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POLL
April 28 \| 62 answers Did the referees miss a big call for the Leafs in Game 5? Should Maroon have been given a major for his hit on Giordano?
Yes	44	71 %
No	18	29 %
LIST OF POLL