Hockey fans are convinced that the thrilling seventh game between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche was “rigged” following a controversial game-changing call against forward Jack Drury.

After falling behind 2-0 early in the third period, Dallas forward and former Avs superstar Mikko Rantanen scored twice to tie the game. Then, with just over four minutes remaining, the referees curiously penalized Jack Drury for “holding” on Stars forward Tyler Seguin in front of the Colorado net:

As every hockey fan knows, NHL referees usually “let them play” in the postseason, especially in ultra-pivotal moments like a tie game in a series-deciding contest. But the Drury penalty call proved to be a difference-maker, as Dallas forward Wyatt Johnston potted the game-winning goal with 3:46 remaining:

Rantanen added an empty net goal before the buzzer to secure a 4-2 victory in Game 7 to reach the elite eight for the third straight year. However, disgruntled fans went off on the refs and criticized the Jack Drury penalty call, with some accusing them of “rigging” the contest.

“Refs gifted this game to the Stars. I’m not an Avs fan but it was clear as day. Rigged. NHL should be ashamed,” one fan said.

“The NHL is rigged beyond belief. Sick to my stomach,” wrote another.

“Refs won it the Stars didn’t, off till next season,” said a user.

“The stars the refs and the nhl win this game 😉 congrats all for the second round,” another fan remarked.

“100%. Terrible call late in a game 7. Absolutely awful,” wrote a fan.

“A stick break and a horrible call in the late stage of the third pd of a game 7. (That never gets called!) just cost the Avalanche this series. This league makes no sense,” said another.

The Avalanche acquired Jack Drury, Martin Necas and two draft picks from the Carolina Hurricanes in a stunning January blockbuster trade. Unable to get an extension done with Rantanen, however, the Hurricanes flipped Rantanen to Dallas in a separate trade.

Jack Drury & Refs Can’t Be Blamed In Avs’ Game 7 Meltdown

Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars (Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
It’s easy to criticize Drury’s lack of discipline or the questionable call by the officials, but at the end of the day, Colorado can only blame themselves.

The Avalanche were a ridiculous 32-1-2 in the regular season when leading after two periods during the regular season. Dallas also didn’t have superstar forward Jason Robertson or all-world defenseman Miro Heiskanen for this series, and they still won.

Colorado just needed to hold onto a two-goal third-period lead against a short-handed Dallas team, and they couldn’t do that. This falls on them, not the refs.