Former NHL referee slams those defending player who punched official in the USPHL
A former referee, who spent close to 30 years officiating games in the NHL, says he can't believe people are attempting to defend a player in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) who has been given a lifetime ban for punching an official on Sunday. Dave Jackson, who has also officiated hockey at the Olympics, says no one should wonder why officials are getting so hard to come by in the lower tier leagues.
"I can't believe there are comments on here justifying this sucker-punch. This is an inexcusable act and it's why we're losing minor hockey officials at an alarming rate. Imagine that was your son or daughter officiating." - Dave Jackson, Twitter
Paul Halloran of the South Shore Kings was being tossed from the game Sunday for making contact with an official. As he was leaving the ice, he punched the linesman in the face and pushed him to the ice. The league acted quickly, issuing a lifetime ban.
Comment threads on Twitter that involve video of the incident have some respondents saying the official "got what was coming to him" or that he "deserved it." Jackson, who is now part of ESPN's NHL broadcasting team, said this is not the way to deal with it.
I have no problem holding officials accountable for their performance. Sucker-punching them is not the answer." Dave Jackson, Twitter
The incident is now being looked at by local authorities to see whether charges might be laid.
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APRIL 26, 2026
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| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
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| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
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| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
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| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
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| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
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