Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog RIPS officials in post-game presser

In a matchup of two of the top teams in the National Hockey League, the Carolina Hurricanes came away with a 2-0 shutout victory over the high-flying Colorado Avalanche in front of a rocking crowd at PNC Arena in Raleigh. 

The Hurricanes became the first team this season to shut out the Avs, courtesy of 36 saves from goaltender Antti Raanta. It was a goal from defenseman Ethan Bear that found its way past goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35 saves) with 5:40 remaining in the third period that proved to the the winner; Sebastien Aho would seal the victory with an empty net tally. 

But afterwards, it was the comments from Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog Landeskog, who was ejected from the game late in the 3rd period for arguing with the on-ice officials, that had people talking. 

“Before you guys start,” he said to the media in the room. “In 11 years, I’ve never sat and talked about referees in a press conference ever.”

“I think (refs) Wes (McCauley) and TJ Luxmore do a great job tonight for 50-some minutes of the game. They called a high stick on Naz on Niederreiter, which might have been a high stick but Niederreiter falls easy.”

Landeskog was referencing the high-sticking penalty assessed to Avs forward Nazem Kadri; he and his teammates believe that Nino Niederreiter tried to sell the call by embellishment. 

“We’re arguing it’s a flop. They say it’s still a high stick. Fair enough,” he continued. “With 5:50 remaining, Niederreiter is hooking Naz up the boards. The puck turns over, we go the other way, they score. We’re arguing that it’s a hook. They’re saying Naz is flopping. We’re arguing it’s still a hook, just like they were arguing before.”

“It’s unfortunate because that’s a playoff game tonight."

Landeskog then went on to defend Kadri, whom he feels was the target of reputation-style calls. 

“Whether a guy has been suspended numerous times or not, is he going to be carrying around that heavy baggage forever?” Landeskog said. “I’m not saying TJ and Wes didn’t call it for that reason, but Naz is a guy that’s competitive. Whether he sold that call or not, you can look at the video and the stick is in his waist and that’s why he loses the puck.”

“Sometimes it’s time for players to step up and speak their truth. I’m the one looking like an idiot for getting thrown out of the game even though I’m just being honest. I guess TJ didn’t like that I said he had a tough night.”

Landeskog's comments can be watched below: