I legit think Sid was looking at the scoreboard, realising it didn't matter at all, and deciding to take a stand knowing he had a spotlight on him. The refs need to be held accountable.

Checking a guy skating into the zone gets called interference, but free cross-checks in the slot? The league is way out of control on what's a penalty or not. Clowns like this ref are bad for the sport.

The officiating has been absolutely brutal this season, just all around bad at their job. It's cliche to say every year they get worse and worse, but it's honestly true.

The NHL needs to hold refs accountable

Cross-checking is a penalty. The league has not called it fairly.

Refereeing is the #1 problem in hockey and now with TWO refs? There are ways to get a message to referees and umpires to smarten up. It's called, "Oops! I didn't mean to shoot the puck at your head or to throw the ball at your head." When the NHL went to two refs that should have left the door open to be criticized by players and coaches.

The League embarrassed itself in this instance. The referees rarely had control all night. They were woeful. Which has been typical of officiating all season -- and the League does nothing to change this. Refs are never called out and if a player or coach says anything, they get fined. And we have seen the zebras become more disrespectful as the year has gone on. Until the league addresses the inconsistent and poor displays by the refs, the league will continue to suffer and growth will not happen.

I think it's so funny, yet stupid, that because Crosby has gotten into it the last two games, including him being ejected suddenly means he's, "gone back to his old ways." LMAO. Makes absolutely zero sense.

Everyone keeps saying that Crosby embellished. But has there been any thought given to the fact that he might have lifted his legs on the way down to avoid taking a puck to the shins? Watch everyone’s eyes and actions, the puck was coming. Players lift legs, jump, etc when pucks are shot toward the goal. If you watch, he tucks for the impact with the ice. I think he wasn’t anticipating another player falling on him. Regardless, the whole thing was a dumpster fire on the officiating crew. And Crosby should have been the veteran hockey player he is and skated away.

It should be a rule if a ref shows a clear inability to do their job, that they have to fight an on ice player. They’ll do their job better once they have that on their minds.

Sid didn’t care. The game was over but all he did was give mikey a shove and say a few words. That’s not punishable to that extent

I think he huddled up not to get hit in the head by the guy he saw coming as he was falling. And yes it is very possible to see this and react like that.

It's ridiculous for the captain of a side not to be given an explanation by an official irrespective of who was involved and Alyssa is right in suggesting in Hockey, you get situations that don't add up when it comes to penalty minutes, with the refs giving out 'emotional minutes' to players they don't like. Sid means a lot of things to many people but this decision made by the ref, was an absolute disgrace. Sid, despite the fine he would have received, should have spoken his mind, post-game and the owner should back his captain and pay the fine.

NHL refs have been absolutely unaccountable lately. Bettman needs to rethink how refs handle this. Censorship is absolute BS

i will add that from experience just playing hockey growing up. is that, when youre in front of the net and your getting cross checked in the back as a shot is coming you want protect yourself as much as you can so i can understand why it looks like Sid is diving. realistically he was just thinking about protecting himself as much as possible. I can understand the embellishment call just based off how it looks, but just talk to the guy and give him a reason

I think its funny that people think he embellished that. You can clearly see he was jumping to avoid being hit by his teammates shot, which players very oftenly do, right as he was cross checked. Weird that no one else has realized that.

Crosby chased a player that had been called for a penalty all the way to the box...he knows why he got called on that, or at least he should after a lifetime of playing hockey. And once he has been called for that, he is no longer allowed to question the ref, that falls to an assistant captain, something else he should know by now. And at no point is any player allowed to continue to follow a ref after the ref skates away. He should also know that. He should also be able to infer that keeping the game from getting out of hand is the refs job. And what is a couple ways it can get out of hand...allowing players to badger opponents on the way to the box, or by allowing them to badger the refs. Everyone seems to ignore that Anderson also got a misconduct, which on top of the minor, effectively ejected him as well. The ref getting two guys that seem ready to kick off a scrum in a game that is already decided is good reffing. Get rid of the hotheads and hopefully the game cools down.

Officiating is bad this season, as the ref's are trying to enforce the silly and unofficial 'no hit' policy and no questioning the officials. They are wrecking the game.

Great video, @AlyssaHopeExtras! The only thing I found odd about your commentary was when you referred to Sid as the “acting captain” lol. He’s *is* the Captain.

I wonder how many other Penguins games Rank has officiated and had an influence on the outcome? Any playoff games?

Keep making it okay for players to be abusive to officials. It has trickled down to the youth level and the official shortage is at an all time high.

There's a lot I don't like about the way the game is officiated today. Where should I start?

Refs MUST be held accountable if players are. This goes for coaches, GMs, and etc. If they’re missing calls or making list of soft calls, it needs to be looked at. The league is scared of criticism and fines people who don’t agree

the refs doesn't have to come up to you and give you an example why you got a penalty you do it to nice and should but you don"t have to

There are no "Assistant" captains. The A stands for "Alternate"

At 46 seconds "Crosby gets into position" by accidentally kicking the back of Mikey's skate. The Pens had started taking runs at that point & Mikey ain't going to take that, ask Draisaitl. The problem here is that Mikey is turning into a very good shutdown defender & the big name guys get frustrated. They don't know who he is & the East Coast is asleep on Mikey. Plus King's had just gotten Moore & Kaliyev back & had a lot more offensive power in the lineup, but a lot of the league are asleep on those guys too. Edit: King's re-sign Mikey for 8 years for getting Crosby booted!

It appears that some of the refs (like Rank) think that the fans are there to watch them. Just like anyplace else when give a narcissist complete power, you end up with complete failure. Maybe if a large number of players and coaches spoke out, things would change. Until then, the NHL can enjoy the diminishing viewer numbers.

Good evening ! Thank you for this video.

You are missing the fact that there was shot coming at him when he gets pushed. He needed to protect himself.

I have to agree, if you touch Connor Mcdavid your getting called but I've seen Crosby and Malkin take some of the dirtiest hits and there's never a call !!! NHL has the most crooked refs in sports, for instance'look at that referee that didn't know his equipment wasn't turned off and he got busted making a statement that should have costed him his job but Gary Bettman will honor him and make him in charge of the refs, and I'm not kidding

That wasn't his first game misconduct. Sid has 100% gotten at Least 1 before this

Referee is an incredibly hard job-that said, it's not like you accept that job without prior knowledge. There are a handful of 10-ply soft referees who've shown themselves to have no qualms with calling abuse-of-official. Garrett Rank is definitely one of them.

I'm not going to defend everything Sid did, but the captain and coach absolutely have a right to demand an explanation. NHL refs are the worst in all of sports, not just for their inconsistencies in calling games, but in their attitudes.

maybe the ref had a prop bet on the ejection

That’s why hockey players fight. Just fight the guy and none of this would have happened

I think the officiating has been getting increasingly worse over the years. There is absolutely no continuity to the calls made. A penalty should be called a penalty there should be no great area. There should also be an explanation for those calls to either the team's captains and assistant captains or at least the coach. Sometimes it gets unwatchable. This game is a perfect example of a ref taking over and the worst part is they have zero accountability for it.

Refs think they're the reason people want to watch hockey. Too much power

Gotta respect Garretts authoritie! Lol

Well first off, I've been watching the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL for years, and as I keep learning, these refs nowadays are just thinking they can call whatever. There was one game where we had two goals which clearly counted, but they dissed both of them. Then, when things get out of hand, like your own goaltender swinging at the opponent, you can tell things have crossed the line. Now, being a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins, I can personally say that these opponents we play need to quit being babies, grow up, and play hockey how it's supposed to be played. And oppsosing temas, quit paying the refs. Cause it's a disgrace.

Refs need to be held accountable when the make bad calls!! They should have to answer to media like the players and coaches do!?It's ridiculous the refs have been absolutely horrible there is no consistency to their calls!? They call one guy for a weak ass penalty that wasn't really a penalty anyway but then they don't call it when a guy crosschecks someone right in front of them!? Definitely seems like some officials favor certain teams sometimes or they'll call make up calls if one of te refs complains cuz his team is being penalized more than the other team!? I think coaches shouldn't be allowed to do that and refs shouldn't start calling game differently cuz they wanna make sure that coach is happy with them...if that team is committing more penalties then coach should be getting in his players not the refs!? Sometimes seems like refs like or dislike some teams,coaches,and players!? Refs need to know the rules and know exactly what constitutes each kind of penalty and call em consistently some of the stuff they call for some penalties is ridiculous..they call a gut for hooking when it really wasn't hooking!? But they also call stuff the otherway around too. They have to set a consistency!?

I am not a $hitsburg fan but these refs in the NHL makes Angel Hernandez look like a Gold glover in baseball

this is great work. Sid gets away with some things but that ref is a total jerk off. Does the league do a survey on their refs where the coaches and players give their input?

Blame Garry Bettman and the NHL going to far on telling the Referee's how to call the game. You see so many missed calls but yet they call bullshit that is just hockey.

Cross checks hurt people!!! I dont think people know that if you keep cross checking in the game that is why stuff gets out of hand.

Sid was all "fock you Shoresy!"

NHL might as well give the players a script because it's gone Hollywood like pro wrestling .. . fix is in and now we wonder how deep does this fixed control go.

Me being a Penguin's fan since the 80s. I have never been a Crosby fan. He can't keep his mouth shut and he embellish stuff. Even in video clip, he kinda slew foot Anderson before he gets lightly cross check him. As a hockey player for 15 years, that crap piss me off more than anything. One of the reasons I can't stand him.

The NHL and the AHL has an issue with officiating.

I swear some refs took online classes during Covid-19

I was actually at that game and the arena erupted when he got booted on a game that was already being ran away with. As a kings fan I enjoyed the game (obviously) especially since it was one browns jersey retirement and it was my birthday gift to go to that game lol

I hate Crosby. A LOT. So I'm LOVING this. Having said that I do agree that the officials have made many bad calls and non-calls which are just as bad. VERY lopsided with the calls. I've seen many games where someone gets boarded feet away from an official like there's no way they didn't see it and nothing then 3 minutes later a player will go down on their own accord and the closest player gets a trip. The refs need a talking to

I blame Guentzel and Rakell for this. If either of them stepped up to protect their captain this wouldn't have happened. Even a little face washing at the bare minimum. Friedman is the only penguin with this mentality. The other day he dropped the gloves in defense of Guentzel. He said he didn't even see what happened but when he saw one of their star players go down he just dropped em. Pens need more of this

Sounds like this Garrett guy is a little softy

Some of these officials have an ego problem and instead of being impartial they get personal. MO

I'm not even sure it was embellishment as much as protecting his body knowing he was about to hit the ice at high speed. At any rate this maybe warranted offsetting minors, no reason for misconducts.

“This fixed league game brought to you by Draft Kings.” -NHL

Alternative Captain* not assistant

1. It's not a cross-check, it's a push 2. If Crosby didn't dive, he wouldn't have a guy falling over him. And he dove hard. 3. The guy falling over him is nowhere near his head, how would that be a reason to be scared about a concussion? 4. Are you serious about a vendetta from a ref AGAINST Crosby? He has literally been the NHLs golden boy, slashing someone's finger off without any consequences, etc. 5. Crosby isn't the face of the NHL anymore and interest in him has slowed down, maybe now he will actually get penalized for the crap he pulls. You must either be a pens fan or just delusional.

That's bs man. This is why refs get no respect.

Sidney received that way too late...all kinds of ridiculous antics over the years. I lost all respect for him after 2017. Prima Donna

" Sid is the most beaten up superstar in hockey history" Wayne Gretzky.

Or maybe the refs, just like many outside of Pittsburgh, finally had enough of Cindy Crosby's antics. And it's about time Crosby got held accountable.

Should have happened ten years ago.

I agree with this video. The flyers suck. Lol

If it wouldn't cost you half a season the best response would be.... the fans aren't here to see you... at the ref. Obviously with some hand gestures I've already figured out in my mind..lol.

He can afford 5k....come on.

The referee are soooo blindly protected. They can do whatever they want and if the coaches or the players talks against them. They get fined.

Officiating in the NHL has been a joke for a long time

King will go deep this year.. 1 year rebuild.. #2 west team..

It was bound to happen that the refs would eventually get tired of Crosby whining and complaining to them... just surprised it took this many years.

Referees don’t have to give explanations to coaches captains or players. You said it yourself, it’s a “courtesy”

I am admittedly a Penguin fan. But that aside, Crosby was upset because he was shoved directly into an incoming slap shot. His career was almost ended because of concussions. I don’t blame him for being mad. Anyone would be. He should have got a double minor. They both should have rec’d double minors. Both roughing, cross check, and a dive. End of story. The rest of this is on officials.

Sidney pulled a slew foot on anderson, anderson retaliated, crosby embelished. You can, clearly, see the slew foot as crosby makes the turn.

Sid has been a little baby since day one. It's about time.

The two things that make the nhl absolute garbage are bettman, and the refs.

Crosby thinks he can get away with anything. He's the prince. Treated with light gloves.

The referee's are horrible this year

I'm going with Garrett Rank is a big time golfer. Mario Lemieux takes his crew and goes to Ireland on occasion for golf outings. Rank probably asked Mario to go. Mario probably said "no way nerd boy" Now Rank is out to get the Penguins.

Crosby is a freaking baby

Penguins are just to easy to play against. Sullivan got go

I'm no fan of the way NHL refs call games but crosby had it coming, he just wouldn't shut his trap and deserved to be tossed. I'm shocked the ref had the balls to eject that whining diver.

They could put 2 more referees out there and they would still miss things, what are they doing out there.JOKE

Side reputation as a crybaby on full display Along with constant diving is played out

HES THE KING OF THE DIVE

Crosby whines too much and nobody wants to listen to him. Don't get me wrong, I definitely have problems with the officiating. Larkin got a 5 minute major, game misconduct and a 5k fine and the next game Lindgren gets a 2 minute minor. Larkin is a clean player and check to see if all she was okay Lindgren is a dirty player who kept going and then had some choice words for Rasmussen. It couldn't be more obvious that Lindgren was worse than Larkin and Larkin got penalized much worse.

I'm a fan of Sid, but this kind of diving needs to start getting called. The NHL is starting to look like soccer, which is unwatchable, due to all the theatrical diving.

Best diver and whiner in the NHL.

Not a fan of Pittsburgh or Crosby, but that was a nothing play. The ref needs to grow up or the league needs to get rid of him. Hockey refs are usually tolerant of the players comments

Crosby is an embarrassment to the league. He needs to retire.

ALTERNATE captain not assistant😂 Also, the words are et cetera... it's a Latin term. Not EKSETRA go on, AX someone. Welcome to planet Earth

Waahh. Criesby is no longer the NHL golden boy. He's pissy about it. Take a seat syd and let McDavid hold the reigns that he yanked from your hands.

Bush leauge refs

Makes dirty plays all game then takes a dive after some back preassure... yep sure is the ref's fault.

Crosby is the embarrassment😂 the dude isnt even really that good

Crosby has always been a big crybaby and has gotten his way with the referees wayyyyy more than not.😭😭😭

The refs are in charge of the game... they are in charge of the top players safety.... Some of The players today do not respect the refs... Just because some of the players making millions of dollars a year does not give them the right to verbally abuse the refs....

Crosby wasn’t exaggerating the fall. He brought his knees up to avoid blocking the incoming shot on goal from his teammate. I’m a wings fan btw, so no bias.

Baby Crosby

I'm happy for you that you feel you need to talk about this. We're all so happy about it, aren't we?

no he didnt