A referee’s equipment is important. You’ve got to have your whistle to stop play and make a call.
You’re also going to want your teeth before you announce it.
Referee Kelly Sutherland remembered that fact just before cracking the mic 9:45 into Sunday’s game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Minnesota Wild. The veteran referee took a moment to check his chiclets prior to making the announcement.
Sutherland lost his teeth during an October 21 game between the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning when he was caught by a high stick from Avs defenseman Cale Makar.
NHL referee Kelly Sutherland was injured by a high stick from defenseman Cale Makar during Saturday’s game between #GoBolts and #GoAvsGo https://t.co/oODyMrQpdr pic.twitter.com/ZrReLpeze4
— Scouting The Refs (@ScoutingTheRefs) October 21, 2019
Nice work by Sudsy on the call — and the quick fix on the choppers.