June 9, 2025:

(This episode was recorded – and titled – prior to Game 3…)

On this episode of the Scouting the Refs podcast:

    • The Stanley Cup Final is under way!
    • The Oilers lose a goaltender interference challenge after the NHL rules that Florida Panthers’ Sam Bennett was tripped into Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner
    • We’ve got Bennett vs. Skinner 2: Electric Boogaloo in Game 2, with a penalty issued for goaltender interference
    • More Bennett disruption as he gets away with interference after kicking Mattias Ekholm’s dropped stick out of his reach
    • If you haven’t had enough of Sam Bennett, perhaps Evan Bouchard has, as they end up in a slashing duel
    • It’s not just the guys on the ice getting into it, either. We get some action from the bench as the Oilers’ Jake Walman shoves Florida’s Seth Jones
    • Matthew Tkachuk and Trent Frederic pick up matching minors for roughing – did Tkachuk deserve a separate rough for removing Frederic’s helmet?
    • Refs living up to the stereotype of pocketing those whistles, as we see penalty-filled firsts with almost nothing called in the third period… and only a puck-over-glass in overtime.
    • Plus, a tech update as the NHL partners with Sony to enhance player and puck tracking…

 

 

 

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The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We’ll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was – or wasn’t – handed out. 

Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs. 

Josh Smith is the founder of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls.