The Carolina Hurricanes have taken a 2-0 lead over the New York Islanders in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, Game 2 did not end without hurt feelings and controversy all over.
Islanders fans are upset over the referring in the game on Wednesday night. There may be a bit of merit to their criticisms. Carolina had six power play chances, while New York didn't even receive one.
Then, there's the matter of the overtime winner. Hurricanes forward Jesper Fast scored the goal on a beautiful feed from Jordan Staal. The opening was created after Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield went to the ice behind the play.
Replay footage showed that Mayfield didn't just fall to the ice, however. He took a stick to the face, and under NHL rules, that should have been a high sticking penalty.
Islanders fans took note of this and took to social media to let their frustration be heard.
canes just somehow magically become the most disciplined team ever to play hockey
โ Jacob Anderson (@Barzalsbetter) April 20, 2023
refs are being paid
โ Knicks in 4 (@qgrimeswrld) April 20, 2023
refs* 6-0 powerplays and get away with a blatent Highstick on the game winner
โ Islanders Prospects (@bollo3532) April 20, 2023
Most hilariously rigged game ever ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
โ J (@Kinsella19) April 20, 2023
Worst display of refereeing Iโve ever seen
โ matt (@mattk9494) April 20, 2023
You can't tell me it's not rigged when they had a too many men and blatant high stick in OT, uncalled. 6-0.
โ อ อ อ อ อ อ ออ อ อ อ อ อ อ อ อ อ (@jennforhockey) April 20, 2023
These refs getting paid way to much from the canes right now , one way calls.
โ LouieDoritos (@LouieDoritos) April 20, 2023
Even fans of the New York Rangers, a bitter rival to the Islanders, expressed their belief the game was skewed in favor of the Hurricanes.
The refs were embarrassing Iโm sorry for you guys
โ Aidan (@AidanNYR) April 20, 2023
As a ranger fan even I think the refs absolutely screwed the Islanders. Brutal
โ Nick (@nicke22rocks) April 20, 2023
In any event, it is an unenviable position for the Islanders to be in. A 2-0 series deficit in any sport is a hard spot to be in, no matter how good your team is.
However, there may be a bit of a silver lining. Last season's Stanley Cup Playoffs saw nine of 15 playoff matchups won by a team that faced a deficit in that series.
The Islanders also get the benefit of returning home. Game 3 shifts to UBS Arena in New York on Friday, with Game 4 also taking place on Long Island on Sunday. If New York survives a sweep, Game 5 would be played in Carolina next Tuesday.