In all sports referees have a tremendous amount of power and impact on the outcome of a play, or even a game, and fans often times direct blame their way. Whether it is an egregious holding call at the end of Super Bowl 57, or a controversial runners interference call in the 2013 World Series, there have been many instances where referees have been the center of sports controversy. Last night, one referee made headlines with a call delivered in the third period of the St. Louis Blues v New York Islanders game.
Rarely, in all sports, do you see a referee acknowledge the home crowd, which is what Rank did. Despite the call, Rank received backlash for his delivery on the call, by his fellow and former referees. One came from former NHL referee Tim Peel.