NHL Blown Calls and the Truth Behind the Almost Perfect Game

Last night, Jim Joyce shocked the baseball world when he blew a call costing Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game. Many were outraged and saddened at the kid's loss of perfection. However, as a huge NHL fan, seeing poor officiating is nothing new to me. As a matter of fact, I can readily come up with a few examples of NHL officiating gone wrong.

Spoiler alert: Kerry Fraser isn't our only offender.

• 1993 Conference Finals: Kerry Fraser blows, and then lies about a high sticking call on Wayne Gretzky which keeps the Leafs out of the Stanley Cup finals.
  
• 2009 Playoffs: Brad May goal overturned because of the "intent to blow" rule.
  
• March 2008/Jan 2010: Flyers fall victim to the Sabres/Bruins because opponents had too many men on the ice while scoring
• 1999 Stanley Cup Finals: Brett Hull ends the Finals with a skate in the crease, replays could have overturned this one but for some reason, they did not.

Now there's also slightly more to this story than meets the eye. See Jim Joyce is in fact, NOT that umpires real name. That's right it's an alias of Stephane Auger, and in fact, the DGS SuperSpies overheard a top secret conversation between Auger and his own reflection in the mirror in the hotel before the game. In fact, we have the transcript of it right here:


Auger: Oh baseball, how I hate thee, all these non-French-Canadiens really bug me.

Auger's Reflection: You know what, you should GET SOMEONE tonight.

Auger: Any idea who?

Auger's Reflection: No, but when the opportunity arises, you will know what to do.

Auger: Sounds fantastic, tonight, I am out to get the Detroit Tigers in someway.

Auger's Reflection: Yes, and when you do, it will be fantastic.


Anyway, during the game, Auger decided it was time to get Armando Galarraga and therefore, with the game on the line, Auger pulled out a safe call from nowhere.