Brendan Gallagher had no special history with Pierre Lambert, not the hero of the Lance and Count series, but the referee with number 37.
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“I probably have a history with every referee in the NHL, good game or bad game, I’m not the favorite,” Gallagher said.
Little number 11 has done nothing to increase his love for Lambert. He received a penalty in the third period for bringing down Elias Lindholm very close to Samuel Montembeault’s net.
Lambert, who was at center ice, raised his arm to the sky to call the penalty.
Dissatisfied with this decision, Gallagher shouted at the referee and then threw the water bottle into the penalty box. He was red with anger. An anger that remained even more visible in the locker room after the meeting.
“This is unacceptable, this cannot happen,” whispered the right winger. The referee is in the neutral zone. It’s a terrible decision. You can’t make a mistake like that. It’s that simple. His partner (Jake Brenk) was right next to the game and he didn’t call anything. He went hard because he saw how the Flames players reacted on the bench. It can’t happen at this level and he knows it. At such an important moment of the meeting, you cannot make such a mistake. »
There were 3:12 minutes left in the third period when Gallagher ended up in the penalty box. However, Andrew Mangiapane followed in the penalty box 81 seconds later. CH ended this game at six against four by pulling Montembeault back in the final seconds of the game.
Out of frustration
After the final siren, Gallagher vented his frustration to defender Nikita Zadorov. Even though the Flames’ No. 16 is 6-foot-1 and 250 pounds, the fierce winger was ready to fight.
“I don’t care about the weight difference,” replied Gallagher. It could happen. He beat me and we had just lost the match. There was frustration. The size didn’t bother me. I’ve lived with this reality for ages (smaller). »
A hockey change
Josh Anderson hit the high bar in the second period and was denied a goal by Jacob Markstrom at the very end of the third period. With 68 seconds left, Anderson got a good shot, but Markstrom pulled out his big glove to block it.
Photo AFP
“I have a chance, but I should probably change one thing,” Anderson admitted. Maybe I’ll change my hockey. This is one of the most difficult phases of my career. I want to stay positive, but it’s starting to get frustrating. »
“I had a chance to take this game to overtime,” he continued. I have to find a way to beat the goalkeepers. I’ve never had this problem in my career. »
After 15 games this season, Anderson still hasn’t scored a goal. He only has two passports.