Dallas Stars head coach Pete DeBoer expressed his frustration following a pivotal non-call that shifted momentum in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Edmonton Oilers. The incident occurred late in the second period when a clear tripping penalty on Oilers forward Connor Brown went uncalled. Seconds later, Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl scored the game-winning goal in overtime, leading to a 2-1 series lead for the Oilers.
DeBoer did not mince words in his postgame comments, stating, “He blew it. He missed the call. I don’t know what else to say. I mean, it’s a can-opener trip, it’s a dangerous play, it’s all those things. But it didn’t get called, so you gotta keep playing.” The missed penalty has sparked widespread debate among fans and analysts, with many questioning the consistency of officiating in high-stakes playoff games.
The controversy surrounding the non-call has intensified discussions about the NHL’s officiating standards and the impact of such decisions on the outcome of critical playoff games. As the series progresses, all eyes will be on the league’s response to ensure fairness and integrity in the postseason.
Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday in Edmonton, where the Stars will look to even the series and regain momentum.
