The game took a much bitter turn in the third when the most controversially play of the weekend happened in an incident involving David Backes of the Blues, and Kent Huskins of the Wings. Huskins had just scooped a puck out of the nearside corner and was coming out for an outlet pass up the ice. As he released the puck, Backes abruptly proceeded to lay a usual David Backes caliber hit on Huskins. Play was stopped. A 5 minute major for a hit to the head, plus a match penalty was the call. The expression on Backes’ face summed up the feeling of himself, the team, Blues fans, and quite possibly much of the hockey world.

I understand that referees will make mistakes, and that they can’t make the right call on every play. But when the game is tied between two divisional rivals in the third period, a call like this must be made accurately and appropriately. Ian Walsh did not accomplish either of these tasks and handed two points to the Red Wings in the process. Times are changing, and the NHL should follow suit with the likes of the NFL and MLB when handling crucial calls, by using a replay system. Yes, questionable goals are reviewed already, but everything else is determined by the human element of the the referee. A call like the one that was made on Backes on Friday night doesn’t have to happen if the NHL does something more to protect the integrity of the game and the officiating. If not a new replay system, something should be done to the referee involved. Warnings to referees, along with suspensions could be very effective in terms of making sure they got the calls precisely right.

This may be a Blues blog, and bias may be involved, but I can guarantee that any fan of any team in the league would have complained about this call had it been committed by a player on their team. The game was a hard fought one all the way through, and it’s a shame that a call like this one had to change the pace of the game for the worst.

Jan 26, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; St. Louis Blues center David Backes (42) warms up before the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Blues defeated the Stars 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Blues had fought back from a 2-0 deficit in Friday night’s game, the Blues were in a position to win the game early in the third and to bring it in to overtime late in the third.  Then this happened:

While everyone watching the game on Friday knew the call was inaccurate, except for Wings fans wanting retribution from the slashing the Blues gave the Wings on opening night, the referees and linesman in the game agreed that Backes had committed one of the worst of crimes in the NHL.

Well, now that the game is over, the Wings stole at least one point from the Blues, and Backes was the talk of many debates, the NHL has rescinded the penalty.  Effectively it is like the penalty never happened, but tell that to St. Louis Blues fans.  Maybe the minutes and call won’t stay on the books, the “power play” goal scored by the Red Wings will stay on the books.

It is just too little too late from the NHL.  These types of calls should be a wake up to the NHL that perhaps they need to begin to review these calls in game before making them temporarily official.

What do you think Blues fans?  What should the NHL do to make this up to the Blues and the fans?

Stay tuned for a more in depth article about the hit and the circumstances around the hit from Staff Writer Alex Steinmeyer.

As always, LET’S GO BLUES!

-Alex Hodschayan