How Much Does One Have to Bleed?

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Photo: @Makooch

opinion Yet another game of questionable officiating, this time in Dallas on Saturday night. Since the Capitals would ultimately win, I felt it would be a better time to highlight another poor outing by the zebras, rather than sounding like sour grapes after a loss. 

With the Capitals trailing 3-2 in the third period, the Stars’ Antoine Roussel would clip Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner in the face with his stick, drawing a two-minute minor for high-sticking. The problem? The high stick drew blood, which mandates a four-minute double-minor.

Alzner was indeed clearly bleeding. Television coverage showed Alzner spitting blood on the ice, so the question remains, WTH?

Coach Barry Trotz would immediately ask for an explanation on why the penalty was not the four-minute variety, but to no avail.

The Caps would have had another two minutes of power play time after T.J. Oshie’s game tying score, if the infraction was called correctly.

Considering Dallas’ porous penalty kill (29th in the league), the Caps could have potted the go-ahead goal, potentially winning in regulation, which would be the first time the Caps won in Dallas in regulation since 1995. Andre Burakovsky was just three-months old at that time. But anyway, a win is a win, I guess.

Another angle of Alzner questioning the call.

By Jon Sorensen

About Jon Sorensen

Jon has been a Caps fan since day one, attending his first game at the Capital Centre in 1974. His interest in the Caps has grown over the decades and included time as a season ticket holder. He has been a journalist covering the team for 10+ years, primarily focusing on analysis, analytics and prospect development.
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2 Responses to How Much Does One Have to Bleed?

  1. Ray Rheault says:

    Petty egregious. You need to watch some EPL and LaLiga games to see even greater weekly incompetence, despite a much slower game and four stationary sideline officials.

    #alternativeNHLrules

  2. Diane Doyle says:

    Meanwhile, Orlov was charged with a double minor for breaking the nose of a Stars player.

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