NHL referees are loved by few, and hated by many more. Referee Kelly Sutherland is one of the most controversial in the league, especially to Vancouver Canucks fans.
During the NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs, every call counts, and games, and seasons are on the line. Thus, it should be a given that any referee bias must be eliminated, but unfortunately for Vancouver Canucks fans, they have not received that treatment.
Referee Kelly Sutherland is known for media appearances in off-seasons where he has been vocal about his disdain for the Vancouver Canucks, and it appears to be possibly making an impact on his on-ice conduct.
Canucks fans, who have seen Leon Draisaitl get hurt and Connor McDavid be clearly off his game, were hopeful that this would give them an edge in the series, but Sutherland is not helping them:
Everyone has heard stories about Sutherland's opinion about the Canucks because he doesn't hide it during the off-season.
When Tony G talks about the NHL trying to "manage" series this is what he means.
Drai is hurt. McDavid is invisible so Sutherland gets sent in.
One fan then commented with evidence that is nearly statistically impossible:
Canucks 0-7-1 in the last 8 games reffed by Sutherland.
This includes the Vegas game last month where he called the high stick on Zadorov that didn't connect with Pietrangelo at all, an objectively missed call
...2-7-1 same s**t it's bad
Do you think it is fair for Kelly Sutherland to be reffing Vancouver Canucks games?
DO YOU THINK KELLY SUTHERLAND IS BIASED AGAINST THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS? MAY 10 1208 ANSWERS |
| YES | 772 | 63.9 % |
| NO | 436 | 36.1 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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