Michael Bunting Continues to Receive Unfair Treatment From NHL Referees
NHL officials tend to be known for poor officiating, but it looks like this time, the refs aren't targeting a specific team; they could be targeting one specific NHL player.
Bunting Receiving Unfair Treatment
In a matchup against the Red Wings on April 2, Bunting found himself in the penalty box more than once. He was first penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct in the second period. The kicker? Bunting was the one who was crosschecked twice and held down by a Detroit Red Wings player.
He was also given a 10 minute misconduct after being shoved by Moritz Seider.
Former NHL Ref Speaks Out
Dave Jackson, a former NHL referee, didn't hold back his opinion about Michael Bunting.
"'Referees hate getting duped...when they get duped more than once by the same player, then they're hesitant to sometimes make a call...When you see a player that has hurt you in the past and something happens that's not clear cut...you would rather miss a call and then be shown you were wrong. That's the player that creates that narrative, not the referee.'"
Jackson went as far to say that Bunting needs to "re-establish his reputation."
Bunting signed a two year deal with the Maple Leafs in 2021 after 5 seasons with the Arizona Coyotes organization.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 5 | 451 ANSWERS Michael Bunting Continues to Receive Unfair Treatment From NHL Referees Was Michael Bunting treated unfairly by the officials? | ||
| Yes | 362 | 80.3 % |
| No | 89 | 19.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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