May 2, 1999
It was Game 6 of the 1998-99 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Flyers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. With the Flyers down three games to two, they were on home ice trying to force a Game 7 back in Toronto.
One of the bigger topics of this series was the officiating. Some of the calls seemed to be inconsistent, to say the least. Unfortunately, for Flyers fans, it was a call late in Game 6 that would prove to be crucial in the outcome of the game – and the series.
Both Curtis Joseph of the Leafs and John Vanbiesbrouck of the Flyers had played brilliantly for their respective clubs. The game was scoreless late in the third period when John LeClair was whistled for an elbowing penalty on Mike Johnson behind the net with just 2:54 left in the game. The Flyers faithful and the bench went nuts on referee Terry Gregson.
On the power play, Sergei Berezin jumped on a puck that had deflected off of Flyers defenseman Adam Burt about 15 feet in front of Vanbiesbrouck. His wrist shot went five-hole, found the back of the net and gave the Leafs the lead 1-0 with just one minute to play.
Although the Flyers fought valiantly to get the game tied, "Cujo" and the Leafs held on and left Philadelphia with a 4-2 series win.
After the game, there were some rather terse comments regarding the officiating by Flyers owner Ed Snider. (No. 4 Rant on the Top-10 list in the video below)
Never one to mince words, Snider went after the officials and how their calls are a "disgrace" in how they [can] decide the outcome of games.
With coaches and even owners getting in front of the microphones after games, it is proof once again, that there is simply nothing like NHL playoff hockey.
Mike Watson is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on twitter @Mwats_99
