Alright, if you clicked on this story then you know the NHL “fired” Tim Peel after his faux pas in last night’s barn burner (editor’s note: those italics are sarcasm) between Nashville and Detroit. And if you don’t, well, here you go.
At first glance, it seems like the NHL is really cracking down on an attempt to have a ref take a game into his own hands. Hooray! But this is the NHL we’re talking about, scrutiny is warranted.
So once we do scrutinize, we notice a few things. First, Tim Peel is a veteran ref set to retire after this year. The press release goes out of its way to avoid saying fired, simply saying he won’t officiate games. Pete Blackburn pointed out that while it’s not as strong as they want it to seem, this type of punishment is still more accountable than we’ve come to expect from GaryObviously, the league can’t have refs telling players that it was a make-up call. Especially not when the viewing audience can hear. And they probably shouldn’t make the excuse that he showed up shitfaced like a certain team to the north did. So I do get it. They have to do something. But positioning themselves like the NHL “fired” Tim Peel doesn’t fucking matter. Not when it’s widely noted, or at least implied, that NHL refs have pulled shenanigans like this before. I’m not saying Tim Peel should have been properly fired, which would cost him his pension, but the league is a joke if they think that removing the one ref who got caught is enough to make a difference. Then again… Yeah, I shouldn’t ever count on Bettman to make the right call.
I was a goalie. I’ve taken my fair share of shots to the beanbag, so let me tell you… A puck to the nuts is the worst type of pain on the planet that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Not even Tim Peel. Enjoy retirement!
Minnesota sports weren’t stressful enough, so I went to Auburn. Diehard everything fan. Will drink beer for money. Deathly allergic to chicken.