Predators still sore over penalty calls
Posted May 4, 2011 06:39:55 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NASHVILLE (NEWS1130) – Canucks forward Ryan Kesler maintains that the referee’s call on the penalty that set up his winning overtime goal in their 2-1 victory on Tuesday night was by the book. Kesler maintains that Nashville’s Shea Weber impeded his progress, by jamming his stick in “his gut” and that “that is the rule”. Weber would be given a hooking minor leading to Keslers winning goal.
Nashville head coach Barry Trotz was not happy with the penalty call, accusing the Canucks’ forward of “chicken-winging” Weber’s stick. Trotz was also upset with an earlier high-sticking call on Nashville’s Jerred Smithson.
Smithson, of Vernon, was penalized for clipping Roberto Luongo in the mask with his stick late in the second period. Trotz accused Luongo of embellishing the incident. Luongo admitted that the replays seemed to show that he was not hit by the stick but maintains that Smithson did hit him.
The Canucks held an optional skate today in Nashville.
Tomorrow they can take a commanding 3-1 lead in the Western Conference semi-final series. Faceoff is 5:30pm.
