As the Boston Bruins head to Florida to try and claw their way out of a 3-1 hole against the Florida Panthers in their second-round matchup in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Boston general manager Don Sweeney had a lot to say about the officials and the NHL Department of Player Safety on Monday.
Boston’s game four loss was met with plenty of controversy, as a game-tying third-period goal from Florida’s Sam Bennett was upheld after being reviewed for interference.
The play, which can be seen below, featured a scrum in front of the Bruins net that appeared to show Bennett push Boston’s Charlie Coyle into goaltender Jeremy Swayman, but the replay center ruled it a good goal.
Montgomery and the Bruins' coaching staff challenge for goalie interference – their first of the postszn.
The goal stands, coaches are now 1-3 for interference challenges in the 2024 playoffs. pic.twitter.com/CERUe3WvEk
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) May 13, 2024
While speaking to the media on Monday, Sweeney called for more accountability from NHL officials.
“We should not be asking the coach after the game what they feel about the officiating and what happens,” Sweeney said, via The Athletic. “You guys should really be focused on what we didn’t do well enough in the course of the game to win a hockey game. Those questions should either be directed at either the supervisor of officials, supervisor of the series and/or the officials,” he added
Sweeney’s frustration stemmed from Coyle, Swayman, and Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery having to discuss the play after the game. Meanwhile, the officials, from those involved with the game directly all the way up to NHL director of officiating Stephen Walkom, didn’t have to answer any questions about the review or why it seemingly went against what the NHL’s rulebook states.
“You want full access and transparency? Then put the officials in front of the microphone to answer the question,” he added.
Sweeney also had strong words for the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.
In Boston’s 6-2 loss in Game 3, Bruins captain Brad Marchand left the game after seemingly being sucker punched by Bennett, who was not disciplined for the incident in the game or in the aftermath.
Sunday on the TNT pregame show, a new angle was revealed showing Bennett’s clear intent to make contact with Marchand.
https://twitter.com/NHL_On_TNT/status/1789780622124196210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1789780622124196210%7Ctwgr%5E3babd5589068997627dc09bc943e782dd120ae84%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fathletic%2F5489927%2F2024%2F05%2F13%2Fbruins-don-sweeney-player-safety%2F
As per ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, the NHL also only saw that angle Sunday, but it didn’t change their interpretation:
Talked to several people in the league about the Sam Bennett / Brad Marchand play.
The NHL also didn’t see the reverse angle until Sunday, but it didn’t change how Player Safety saw it — not as a sucker punch, but as a hockey play with two players engaged.
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) May 13, 2024
“The Department of Player Safety needs to make a statement on how they interpret that situation. We’ve seen every angle you can possibly imagine. That’s their job, their responsibility to protect the players. We have to respect that, whatever their judgment is,” Sweeney said.
[The Athletic, hayyyshayyy, NHL on TNT on Twitter/X]
