Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette has accused referees of betting on a playoff game and rigging the outcome after a goal by the Dallas Stars was controversially disallowed.
Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette has ignited a firestorm of controversy with his explosive allegations that referees manipulated the outcome of a playoff game between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche.
Bissonnette, now a popular sports analyst, was vehement in his criticism of the officials' decision to overturn a goal by Stars forward Mason Marchment in the first overtime period on Friday night. The goal would have given Dallas a 2-1 lead and potentially put them on the cusp of a series victory.
However, the goal was disallowed due to goalie interference by Stars forward Matt Duchene, a ruling that was upheld upon video review. Bissonnette vehemently disagrees with the call, arguing that the contact between Duchene and Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev was minimal and should not have negated the goal.
In a scathing commentary on the incident, Bissonnette suggested that the officials may have had a financial stake in the game and rigged the outcome in favor of the Avalanche.
"In this sense, he like taps his stick," Bissonnette said of Duchene's contact with Georgiev. "And then it's clear that the bump from (Avalanche defender Cale Makar) is what throws everything off. So it's basically friendly fire in this case, where I think that for sure should have counted."
"Obviously, with the ref waving it off, they're probably going upstairs. They're saying, 'Well we've got to stick with the original call.' So, I don't know if that ref's got the DraftKings Sportsbook going right now, but that was kind of a BS call."
Duchene later scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime period, sending the Avalanche to the Western Conference Finals. Bissonnette's accusations have sent shockwaves through the hockey world, casting a shadow over the playoffs and raising questions about the integrity of the game.
The NHL has yet to comment on Bissonnette's allegations, but the controversy is likely to intensify as the playoffs progress. The incident has once again highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in officiating, and it will be up to the NHL to restore the public's trust in the fairness and impartiality of its officials.
Until then, the accusations will continue to hang over the playoffs, tarnishing what should be a celebration of the sport's greatest moments.
