Terrible decision by the Oilers causes Florida to take the lead in Game 1

The Edmonton Oilers and their fans were so ready for the sequel of last year’s Stanley Cup Final. In Game 1 against the Florida Panthers in Edmonton, the crowd was loud and the players hungry. Leon Draisaitl scored 66 seconds in and it looked like the local team was going to be unstoppable.

Until, Sam Bennett got very close to goalie Stuart Skinner. A pass for Carter Verhaeghe came through and deflected off Bennett and the Cats tied the game up. However, the Oilers’ bench immediately challenged the goal, claiming it was goalie interference.

This was a terrible decision by the Oilers seeing that the “actions of the defenseman knocked Bennett in, the Situation Room ruled.

This therefore led to a Panthers’ power-play since the goal stood and on the man advantage, Brad Marchand found the back of the net to give Florida their first lead of the series.

Fans were quickly to chant ’Ref, you suck’ and it only added to the chaos and controversy of the first game of this more than likely long series. 

It was a power-play riddled first period and lots of opportunities for goals. And referees getting booed. You got everything!