Mason Marchment might want to keep his phone on after Game 3 against the Winnipeg Jets, as the Dallas Stars forward could be on the wrong side of a referee incident. The Stars were already sour entering this game after getting shut out in Game 2, and the refereeing in Game 3 didn't help.

Marchment had a heated second period after getting tripped by Neal Pionk on a rush and then speared in the mid-section by Mark Scheifele. While trying to tell the referee about the missed calls, he took a light swing at referee Graham Skilliter's shin pads.

As in any sport, any contact with an official is normally off-limits. The Sportsnet panel wasn't impressed with Marchment during the second intermission, and ex-New York Islanders and Los Angeles Kings goaltender Kelly Hrudey believes there could be some supplemental discipline coming Marchment's way.

Hrudey's reaction means a lot considering he played in an era without much off-limits. Marchment's decision to contact the referee is a massive no-no, and, surprisingly, there wasn't much of a reaction. Skilliter decided to let it go, but that is a dangerous road.

If the NHL decides to let Marchment's act go unpunished, it could lead other players to believe they can take free swings at officials. The league has suspended players for the same type of actions, and the Stars could lose Marchment for at least a few games.

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Stars News
Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the New Jersey Devils at the American Airlines Center
NHL rumors: Devils linked to big Stars trade after missing on Jonathan ToewsChristopher Hennessy ·
Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) and center Roope Hintz (24) and left wing Jason Robertson (21) and defenseman Matt Dumba (3) and right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) look on as Benn’s goal against the Utah Hockey Club is under review during the third period at the American Airlines Center.
Stars rumors: 1 non-Jason Robertson trade candidate after Mason Marchment dealColin Gallant ·
Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Edmonton Oilers in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center.
Stars rumors: What one insider believes about Jason Robertson trade situationChristopher Hennessy ·
Rangers most realistic trade acquisition in NHL offseason
Rangers’ most realistic trade acquisition in 2025 NHL offseasonRB Hayek ·
Jason Robertson is the most realistic trade acquisition in the NHL offseason
Golden Knights’ most realistic trade acquisition in 2025 NHL offseasonRB Hayek ·
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) controls the puck against Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov (16) during the third period in game five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place.
NHL rumors: Pierre LeBrun names Connor McDavid ‘shortlist’ if he ever leaves OilersTroy Finnegan ·

Precedent is set to suspend Mason Marchment

Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) celebrates his game winning goal with defenseman Thomas Harley (55) and left wing Mason Marchment (27) in overtime against the Colorado Avalanche in game three of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena.
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

It's rare to see this kind of incident, as players typically reserve enough composure not to abuse officials physically. The Sportsnet panel had a rare insight for this event, as Kevin Bieksa was on the Anaheim Ducks when Antoine Vermette received a similar suspension.

Vermette swung at an official's shin pads after a faceoff didn't go his way in 2017 and received a 10-game ban. The panel agreed that Vermette's incident was more of an attack and came from a place of anger, but some might argue that Marchment's was the same premise.

Marchment approached the officials at the beginning of the third period, but it's unclear why he did. The commentators speculated that it was to apologize, but it remains to be seen whether it was enough to help him avoid a suspension.