NHL referees have gained a reputation in recent years for being highly sensitive to criticism. With a directive to clamp down on any form of criticism, officials have handed out more unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the last two seasons than ever before.
This trend continued tonight during a preseason game between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. As the Lightning dumped the puck into the zone, Mikey Eyssimont was impeded by an out-of-position referee, resulting in a turnover.
In frustration, Eyssimont voiced his displeasure with the referee as he exited the zone. Instead of acknowledging the error, the referee promptly assessed Eyssimont with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.