After taking a 3-1 lead 2:04 into the second period of game two of the second round series between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers, the Flames experienced what some may call an “artificial momentum change”. Several instances of both teams committing infractions and one team being given the extra call.
The officiating, led by veteran referee Steve Kozari, piled on four Oilers powerplays (counting a double minor) in the stanza to the Flames’s one. One can argue the validity of those calls, but during the postseason— one expects the whistles to consistently be put away. This disparity ultimately drove an Oilers comeback that ended with a 5-3 result.
Winning the Puck Races
Another game that started out 2-0 for Calgary. While shot production indicated that the Flames were on top of the Oilers for all three periods, a different story was told in puck races, corner battles and loose pucks in the neutral zone. The Flames started out winning the majority of those, but the Oilers turned the tide in the second half of the first period and the first five minutes of the second.
They also won the majority of races in the early third. It was no coincidence the Oilers scored most of their goals in the stretches they were winning their puck races.
Teeing up
Despite the result, the Flames still earned the majority of opportunities through three periods.
5v5 Attempts Percentage by Period (CF%)
Flames
First: 56.25%
Second: 60%
Third: 64.52%
Oilers
First: 43.75%
Second: 40%
Third: 35.48%
Particularly, the Flames dominated from the point. Here is a shot chart recording where shots were taken from across all modes of play.
Note the even green just below the blue line. The Oilers lack of point pressure led to constant shot production for the Flames.
Kozari
Is there anything like a Steve Kozari reffed playoff game?
For the eight playoff games prior to this game, did you see any individual game reffed so blatantly “managed”?
Steve Kozari is somehow is still working games in Calgary. Let’s look at the man’s body of work reffing Flames games in the playoffs since 2015.
April 30, 2015 6-1 Ducks
Kozari pulled from the series after game
Flames Power Plays: 3
Ducks Power Plays: 4
April 13, 2017 3-2 Ducks
Kozari pulled from series after game
Flames Power Plays: 5
Ducks Power Plays: 7
April 15, 2019 6-2 Avalanche
Kozari pulled from series after game
Flames Power Plays: 6
Avalanche Power Plays: 8
August 13, 2020 5-4 Stars
Flames Power Plays: 4
Stars Power Plays: 4
August 14, 2020 2-0 Flames
Flames Power Plays: 2
Stars Power Plays: 4
August 20, 2020 7-3 Stars
Flames Power Plays: 3
Stars Power Plays: 2
May 18, 2022 9-6 Flames
Flames Power Plays: 3
Oilers Power Plays: 4
May 20, 2022 5-3 Oilers
Flames Power Plays: 5
Oilers Power Plays: 6
A 2-6 record with Steve Kozari reffing a Flames playoff game. 39-31 in power plays given in favour of the opposition— and every time he gets a game he tries to put up the façade of calling a fair game.
If you’re the type of fan that chooses to leave alone criticism of the officials; apologies, but Kozari has shown such a blatant bias in the past that you’ll see no pulling of punches in this place. He’s a horrible referee. The fact that he’s working at this time of year is an insult to so many hard working, honest officials in the game.
Bouchard pushes Gaudreau offside and a scrum ensues after? Extra call goes to Calgary.
Andrew Mangiapane and Tyson Barrie exchange roughing calls? A penalty is added well after the whistle is blown to send Blake Coleman to the box too.
It’s only after momentum has been pried out of the Flames’ hands does Kozari start deeming the game worthy of “makeup calls”. Four against the Oilers in the third. That sort of blatant game management after the officiating has already dug one team into a hole is absolutely pathetic.
The term “makeup call” applies perfectly. It’s entirely superficial and handed out well after momentum has dictated the call irrelevant.
As for Tim Roth, you don’t just blow dead two scoring plays where the puck was clearly not covered and expect to ref the next game. Is either fanbase happy with the officiating after those two sequences?
Flames Corsi at 5v5
Flames Corsi at All Strengths
You can see an obvious disparity between the two charts. These two teams aren’t going to see a traditional “whistles away” playoff game while Kozari is on the game sheet.
These types of games leave a sour taste in your mouth, there is not a lot you can do but vent and prepare to reset. The series heads to Edmonton tomorrow for game three at 6pm mst.
Here’s hoping with a different team of officials lined up.
Trevor Neufeld
Statistics via naturalstattrick.com, nhl.com, dobberhockey.com, moneypuck.com and hockeyfights.com.
@Trevor_Neufeld 
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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