Things just didn’t go Minnesota’s way Saturday night in the Wild’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche, which has many fans blaming the officials.
One of the most blatant plays that has fans – and some Wild players – outraged came right before Colorado netted its game-tying goal with 1:14 left in regulation.
Many are saying Colorado was clearly offsides in the play leading up to the goal. Take a look:
Stastny back skate does look to be off the ice, front skate is offside from this pic being #transparent #AvsWild pic.twitter.com/REZZQduNIN
— 9NEWS Sports Denver (@9NEWSSports) April 27, 2014
Trouble in Denver. Charlie Coyle held by Andre Benoit with net empty causing turnover. Up ice, Paul Stasny is offside as Avs tie game. Ouch!
— Kerry Fraser (@kfraserthecall) April 27, 2014
Here’s a sampling of some reactions to the play:
Ryan Suter on the blown call: "It was offside and they missed the call. It's a damn shame."
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) April 27, 2014
For the 2nd time this season against #mnwild, Stastny looks offside on a goal against Minnesota, this time the tying goal in a playoff game
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 27, 2014
https://twitter.com/MattLechner/status/460276726061219840
Colorado's top line tonight pic.twitter.com/498afgu9za
— Jon Albers (@Jon_Albers) April 27, 2014
Here’s a look at some comments on our Facebook page following the game:
There were some other calls that also had some fans upset.
Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press wrote about the “screwy officiating” in a column after Saturday’s game. He mentions a penalty called on the Wild’s Charlie Coyle, which wouldn’t have made fans as upset if Colorado’s Cody McLeod hadn’t just roughed up Matt Moulson, and didn’t get called for it.
Not everyone was complaining about the officiating – especially Wild head coach Mike Yeo.
Yeo on offside tying goal:To sit here and dwell on it,I don’t think it’s going to do us any good.Obviuosly frustrating,obv. disappointing
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 27, 2014
“This is playoff hockey,” Yeo said in a press conference after the game. “You get your highs and you get lows, and it’s how you deal with it. Hey, we’ve got an opportunity to go home in front of our crowd and win and go to a Game 7. … There’s not a lot of things better than that.”
Yeo’s reaction to the game has Star Tribune’s Jim Souhan tipping his hat to the Wild coach. Souhan wrote in a column that Yeo gets it, and the drama is all part of one of the most captivating playoff series to come to the Twin Cities.
Hyperventilation Update: If Wild take cue from their coach, they win series 4-3. If Wild take cue from their fans, they're done.
— Dan Barreiro (@DanBarreiroKFAN) April 27, 2014
Souhan – and others in the media – is urging fans to enjoy this series, no matter the calls, especially as the Wild gets a chance to tie up the best-of-seven series on Monday night at the Xcel Energy Center. The puck drops at 8 p.m.
