There was an unspoken bias that presented itself
during the Penguins-Rangers game.
Sidney Crosby, the league's wonderkid, complained
frequently to the referees. Much was viewed from
the network feed, and it can be assumed that more
happened away from the camera. No unsportsmanlike
conduct penalty was called on the rookie.
So it was surprising that Marek Malik, the
Rangers' patron saint of defenseman, was hit with
an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the
end of regulation going into OT.
Most commentary blames Malik for not stopping his
complaints when told to by referee Craig Spada.
But were Malik's comments worse than Crosby's?
Spada is from Fort Erie, Ontario. Crosby is
Canada's pride and joy. Malik is from the
Czech Republic. And unsportmanlike conduct is a
subjective call, so I decided to investigate.
Marek Malik Explanation
"I was telling him that it didn't make him a better
referee to talk to me like a rookie; I deserve more
respect than that."
"When he gave me the penalty, I wasn't even talking
to him, I was talking to the bench."
To paraphrase:
1. Malik felt Spada treated him with disrespect
2. Spada called him for a penalty when Malik was
moving towards and talking to the bench
It's a he-said, he-said argument at this point.
But this is only Craig Spada's second year in the
NHL, so I decided to check which players he issues
these types of penalties.
Sens-Leafs: Radek Bonk
In his first season in the NHL (2003), Spada called
Radek Bonk of the Senators for a hooking penalty
against Robert Reichel of the Leafs. Many thought
Reichel dove, and Bonk questioned the call and earned
an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The Leafs scored
on the ensuing 5-on-3 and won 2-1 on that tally.
"I didn't show him any disrespect," said Bonk
afterwards. "I told him it was a dive and he should
be making a call. I guess I should have kept my mouth
shut. I said no disrespectful words to him. I don't
understand why I got it."
Radek Bonk is from the Czech Republic.
Panthers-Atlanta: Valeri Bure
After calling an infraction on Val Bure, Spada
tacked on an additional two minutes for
unsportsmanlike conduct.
Afterward, Val Bure didn't make comments, but Lyle
Odelein said "the refereeing was just unbelievable.
Val [Bure] got an [unsportsmanlike conduct] penalty
tonight and he didn't say a word to the ref."
Val Bure is from Russia.
Sabres-Leafs: Miroslav Satan
Miroslav Satan is given an unsportmanlike conduct
following his complaints about an interference call.
"It was tough to take. He called me for grabbing the
stick, and I don't know how that can happen when I
didn't have anything in my hand," then-Sabre Satan said.
Miro Satan is from the Slovak Republic.
Devils-Sabres: Chris Drury
Drury was called for diving, and then given an
unsportsmanlike penalty for complaining.
Chris Drury is from the United States.
Craig Spada: Facts Tell A Story
The above are episodes that I found researching
Spada. I did not intentionally leave out an episode
where Spada called a penalty for complaining to a
Canadian. I did not find one.
This is the pink elephant in the room that surfaced
during the lockout. Whose game is it? And does
this argument extend to officials, the majority of
whom are Canadian?
Unsportsmanlike conduct is a subjective call. It
points to a line where referees have had enough.
But at least qualitatively, Craig Spada's short tenure
shows that his skin is thinner for non-Canadians.
The implications are obviously exponential in scope.
Craig Spada has begun the discussion, and we'll
watch his career with interest. And if Spada effects
important games in the future with bias, my guess
is that the pink elephant will insist on making his
presence known.
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