Top contender could miss the playoffs due to referee’s mistake!

A blatant officiating error may have just derailed the New York Islanders’ playoff hopes. Tuesday night’s 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks featured a call, or lack thereof, that could ultimately keep Patrick Roy’s squad out of the postseason.

“The referee said he made a mistake,” Roy told reporters after the game. “It comes at the worst possible time for us. It’s unfortunate, but I guess it’s part of the game.”

The controversy occurred in the second period. Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser attempted to clear the puck to the end boards, aiming for Tyler Bertuzzi’s stick to avoid a waived-off icing. Bertuzzi dove, but never made contact. The waived-off icing looked like a formality, and both Islanders defensemen stopped skating before realizing the officials hadn’t blown the play dead.

Adam Pelech and Scott Mayfield were caught off guard. Mayfield lost the puck to Nick Lardis behind the net, who found Frank Nazar in the slot for a goal, putting Chicago up 4-1.

The game was far from over. Simon Holmstrom and Calum Ritchie scored in the third to bring the Islanders within one, but it wasn’t enough.

Turns out that the blown call lead to the game winning goal.

The defeat stings even more as Ottawa leapfrogged New York in the playoff race. The Senators claimed the final postseason spot with a 3-2 win over Detroit, leaving the Islanders’ playoff fate in serious jeopardy.