Czech coach ironically rips refs who missed too-many-men call

Team Czechia’s head coach, Radim Rulík, was livid with the officiating in Wednesday’s hard-fought 4-3 overtime loss to Canada in the Olympic quarterfinal. 

“The referees really worry me. What they’re allowing against us is unacceptable. After every game, we send them two or three clips where they confirm that the opponent should have been penalized. I don’t understand it. I just don’t get it. I feel like everyone is afraid to call anything against Canada,” Rulík told Czech reporters upon elimination (and translated here by RonoHockey.com).

“We were basically playing against six players. I don’t want to make excuses, and no one has to agree with me, but the video backs me up. In this respect, it’s not a fair tournament. It was happening to us even against Denmark. The mix of NHL and European referees hasn’t worked — everyone calls the game differently.”

The game was officiated by American Chris Rooney (NHL) and Sweden’s Mikael Holm (SHL). Canada was awarded three power plays, Czechia two, and the stripes did not settle on a standard.

Canada’s Macklin Celebrini was whistled for interference on inconsequential play that would have been a Czech icing. David Pastrnak scored on the ensuing power play.

Sidney Crosby was later interfered with blatantly, checked into the board by Ondrej Palat in the neutral zone, and no call was made.

Radko Gudas was given a ticky-tack roughing penalty for simply finishing a check, but that appeared to be a makeup call for his earlier aggression toward Crosby, whom he injured.

“I’m really sorry about it. The guys deserved a top-level performance from the referees. They always admit afterward that we were right, but nothing ever changes,” Rulík continued. 

“We should have had power plays against Canada. But they were afraid Pasta or (Martin) Necas would score another power-play goal. And if Gudas was penalized, then (Drew) Doughty should have been too for the hit on Pasta.”

Ironically, the most egregious missed call came on Palat’s third-period goal.

Eight Czech skaters were on the ice. Six gathered to celebrate the go-ahead marker.

And still, there was no call for too many men.

“Not aware at all,” Canada’s Connor McDavid said, twice. 

“I’m not sure how we missed it. Nobody even mentioned it until after the game. So, we’ve got to do a better job paying attention. That being said, the refs do too. Everybody can. I feel like everybody missed it. It was kind of a weird play that way, but we have to pay more attention.”

An IIHF spokesperson told The Athletic ’s Pierre LeBrun Thursday that the goal was reviewed. The IIHF saw what we all did. The refs missed a clear infraction, but mistakes happen.

Had Canada not rallied to victory, the unspotted extra Czechs would’ve turned this mistake into international uproar. In real time, however, it was hardly noticed.

“We didn’t know until after the game,” Doughty said.

“Not a single player, coach knew until after the game. Nobody. Yeah, we talked about it. We’re like, ‘How did that get missed?’ But, I mean, we all missed it. It makes sense that the refs could miss it too. S— happens.”

Canada’s Sam Bennett, who was too ill to play, can’t believe he didn’t count the extra skaters from his perch in the arena’s stands.

“I didn’t, actually,” Bennett said. 

“I’m surprised, because I was watching that game pretty intensely. But I missed that.”