Erik Johnson sounds off on 'bullshit' call from NHL officials.
Erik Johnson was furious during the game and continued to pop off after the overtime loss.
Buffalo Sabres veteran Erik Johnson is not happy with the officials in the National Hockey League and it would appear that he is willing to risk doing some damage to his wallet in order to express just how angry he is.
Johnson took issue with the fact that, after a fight with the New York Rangers' Will Cuyle, he was awarded an additional 2 minute minor penalty for roughing, a situation that left his team on the penalty kill. Johnson could not understand why he had received an additional 2 minutes for roughing, and quite honestly I don't understand it either, and his frustration was quite evident from the penalty box.
If the officials thought giving Johnson some time to cool off would remedy the situation they were sorely mistaken. After the game Johnson commented on the situation and made it crystal clear how he felt about the officiating from referees Jake Brenk and Carter Sandlak.
"It was bullshit," said Johnson of the call as per the Buffalo News.
The explanation that the Sabres received from the officials on the ice only made things that much worse, with Johnson claiming that Sabres head coach Don Granato had been informed that the penalty had stemmed from the officials being annoyed earlier in the game.
"It was absolutely effing ridiculous, and then the ref tells Don that he gave me the unsportsmanlike because we were screaming at him in the first period for not making call," said Johnson. "So, tell me how that is somewhat justified?"
It's hard to argue with Johnson here if his version of events are to be believed, but nonetheless you do have to wonder if these comments might cost him. The NHL doesn't take criticism of their on ice officials very lightly, and there may be a fine headed Johnson's way in the near future.
