It’s a confluence of circumstances on a jam-packed #RefsPodcast:

• The OHL suspends Brampton's Luke Dragusica for the rest of the season for a Marty-McSorleyesque two-handed slash to the head
• Carolina Hurricanes’ Andrei Svechnikov gets the elbow up on Vancouver Canucks’ Filip Hronek
• We’re not seeing any sort of distinct kicking motion on this disallowed goal from San Jose Sharks’ Will Smith… but there might be a good argument for disallowing it.
• George Parros of the NHL’s Department of Player Safety drops in on Lightning vs. Panthers
• The New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings go old school with the jersey matchup and with a post-game scuffle, along with a controversial holding the stick call on Sam Carrick after a hook from J.T. Compher
• New York Islanders’ Bo Horvat gets four minutes for a high stick after getting tripped up – plus another 10 for arguing the call
• More ugliness from Stars vs. Isles as Mikko Rantanen gets ejected - but not suspended - for a hit that injured defenseman Alex Romanov
• Just moments later, Dallas thinks they’ve tied the game only to have the goal called back for goaltender interference.
• The Buffalo Sabres have their own run-in with goalie interference and the NHL Situation Room when Tage Thompson is ruled to have interfered with the Calgary Flames’ Devin Cooley
• Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard picks up an abuse of officials penalty for arguing a non-call after getting slashed on a breakaway by Seattle Kraken defenseman Ryan Lindgren
• …and here comes the Washington Capitals’ Tom Wilson!

Clear your calendars! Oilers fans—imagine spending a week in the sun with Edmonton legends! The Edmonton Hockey Legends Cruise 2026 sails July 17–24, 2026 aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, cruising the Mexican Riviera.

On board: Jason Strudwick, Bill Ranford, Ron Low, Gene Principe, Jack Michaels, Kelly Buchberger, and Louie DeBrusk.

You’ll get meet & greets, hot-stove sessions, Q&A panels, autographs, and a chance to watch the World Cup Final at sea with the legends. Cabins start at $2,399 CAD, and it’s just a $500 deposit to lock it in.

Book at cast.tours/edmonton and use promo code REFS2026 for $100 off per person—again, that’s cast.tours/edmonton - promo code REFS2026 - to save $100 per guest. 

------------------

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠scoutingtherefs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, BlueSky, and Threads. Email us your questions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠heyref@scoutingtherefs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #RefsPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out.