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Subban Non-Call Was the Right Call |
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Follow Paul on Twitter: @paulstewart22
Anyone who remembers my active officiating career knows that I was a referee who was never afraid to call a penalty shot when one was merited. One season, there were 34 total penalty shots called in the League over the course of the entire season. I called 18 of them.
In one well-known instance, I nabbed Hall of Fame defenseman Larry Robinson for deliberately pushing the post off its moorings late in the third period with his team leading by a goal. The penalty shot was converted and the Canadiens lost in overtime.
Afterwards, Robinson said to me, "I'm never speaking to you again."
I said, "Geez, Larry. I wish you had told me that before. I'd have called one much sooner!"
I jest.
Anyway, I didn't really see what all the big ado was about with the non-call on the play involving Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban late in regulation of Game 3 of the Canadiens current series with the Boston Bruins.
Yes, it is technically correct that a penalty shot can be called if there is not enough time left on the clock to serve a delay of game minor. However, in my view, Subban did not do enough to merit a delay of game call. He had his eye on the puck the entire time and was going to retrieve it. This was not a situation where it was clear cut that he'd pushed the net off to get a stoppage of play with Boston flurrying around the net.
Is it possible that Subban knew full well what he was doing and it on purpose? Sure, it's possible. It is hardly uncommon to see borderline delays of game committed by players in similar situations, but this one was far from blatant or egregious no matter what people with partisan interests may say.
If I were refereeing the game, I'd simply have whistled for a stoppage and an offensive zone faceoff for Boston. No penalty shot.
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Paul Stewart holds the distinction of being the first U.S.-born citizen to make it to the NHL as both a player and referee. On March 15, 2003, he became the first American-born referee to officiate in 1,000 NHL games.
Today, Stewart is an officiating and league discipline consultant for the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and serves as director of hockey officiating for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).
The longtime referee heads Officiating by Stewart, a consulting, training and evaluation service for officials. Stewart also maintains a busy schedule as a public speaker, fund raiser and master-of-ceremonies for a host of private, corporate and public events. As a non-hockey venture, he is the owner of Lest We Forget.
Stewart is currently working with a co-author on an autobiography.
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • 
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