The Vancouver Canucks were leading 2-0 in the second period in Sunrise when Jonathan Lekkerimaki picked out Elias Pettersson with a pass that gave the forward open ice and a clear run at Akira Schmid. The chance lasted about a second.
Referee Francois St. Laurent skated straight into him as the pass arrived. Trying to stay upright, the official grabbed a fistful of Pettersson’s jersey on the way down, which did nothing for the balance of a man already being knocked sideways. Both ended up on the ice. The Florida Panthers cleared it.
Supporters watching found the whole thing a little too on the nose, given who Vancouver happened to be playing.
“It’s hilarious that this is also while playing the Panthers. Can’t escape the allegations,” one wrote.
“This actually disrupted a partial breakaway for Pettersson. Panthers not beating the allegations,” said another.
“Understandable reaction for the ref falling down, but absolutely hilarious for the narrative,” a third offered, with someone else adding: “Of course it’s while they’re playing Florida.”
Has this happened to the Canucks before?
There was a reason the sight of an official taking out a Vancouver player landed the way it did. Filip Chytil was making his season debut in that very game, having spent the opening fortnight recovering from an injury he picked up in a freak collision with a referee during the preseason, when he lost his balance and went head first into the boards.
READ MORE: Brady Tkachuk got away with two penalties before his first goal
Chytil had a decent night. He set up the second Vancouver goal, finding Elias Pettersson the defenseman in the low slot at 17:06 of the first for a 2-0 lead.
None of it held up. Brady Tkachuk scored at 11:11 of the third, tied it with 13 seconds left on the clock, then completed his second straight natural hat trick 2:23 into overtime. Leevi Merilainen made 36 saves and got nothing for it as the Canucks lost a sixth straight.
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