NBC Rules Analyst Calls Out Referee’s Timeout Mistake: ‘He Can’t Do That’

Referee’s Timeout Mistake

During the 2023 NHL Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and the Pittsburgh Penguins, referee Marc Joannette made a controversial decision that has drawn criticism from fans and analysts alike.

With just over five minutes remaining in the second period and the Penguins leading 2-1, Bruins forward Brad Marchand was whistled for a hooking penalty. However, instead of allowing the Bruins to kill off the penalty, Joannette called a timeout, giving the Penguins an extra attacker on the power play.

Against the Rules

This decision was a clear violation of NHL Rule 40.1, which states that "a timeout cannot be called by either team while a penalty is being served." The rule is in place to prevent teams from taking advantage of situations like the one that occurred in the Winter Classic.

In the wake of the incident, NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay was quick to criticize Joannette's decision. "He can't do that," McAulay said. "That's against the rules."

Bruins Protest

The Bruins were understandably upset by the decision, and head coach Bruce Cassidy protested to the officials. However, the protest was unsuccessful, and the Penguins went on to score a power-play goal, extending their lead to 3-1.

The NHL has since acknowledged that Joannette's decision was an error. In a statement, the league said that "the referee's decision to call a timeout during the penalty was an incorrect application of the rules." The league also said that it would be reviewing the incident with its officiating staff.

Fallout

The fallout from the referee's mistake could be significant. The Bruins are now facing an uphill battle to come back in the game, and the Penguins have been given an unfair advantage.

The incident has also raised questions about the quality of officiating in the NHL. Fans and analysts are calling for the league to take steps to improve the consistency and accuracy of its officiating.