Alex Burrows vs Stephane Auger

[DwightShrute]

THE CANADIAN PRESS

VANCOUVER -- Alex Burrows' post-game comments about referee Stephane Auger may end up getting him in hot water with the NHL and bring a quick end to his torrid scoring streak.

Burrows, who scored two goals in the Vancouver Canucks' 3-2 loss to the Nashville Predators on Monday, received a 10-minute misconduct with four seconds left in the game after complaining to Auger, who penalized the Vancouver twice in the third period.

Afterwards, he blasted Auger's officiating and accused the referee of being out to get him.

"After my second penalty I skated by him and he said if you say a word I am going to kick you out' so I didn't say a word because I still thought we could come back and win the game.

"But with three seconds left and the faceoff outside the zone I thought I could tell him what I thought about him."

Burrows said Auger told him during the warm-up that he made him look bad when Burrows drew a major penalty after Predator Jerred Smithson charged him in Nashville on Dec. 8.

"It was personal. It started in warm up before the anthem," Burrows said. "The ref came over to me and said I made him look bad in Nashville on the Smithson hit."

Smithson got a major penalty and a game misconduct for a charging penalty on Burrows.

"He said he was going to get me back tonight and he did his job in the third. He called me on a diving call I didn't think was diving, he got me on an interference call that I have no idea how he could call that and it changed the game."

Burrows could face punishment from the NHL for his comments. Asked if he expected to be suspended, Burrows replied: "Maybe, I don't know, but I think he (Auger) should sit out the rest of the year making calls like that."

Burrows, who has nine goals in his last five games and 19 for the season, was off for interference when Shea Weber scored Nashville's winner late in the third period. He was called for diving earlier in the period.

"(Auger) said he was going to get me back tonight and he did his job in the third," Burrows said.

"He called me on a diving call I didn't think was diving, he got me on an interference call that I have no idea how he could call that and it changed the game.

"It sucks right now for teammates that are battling hard for 60 minutes to win a hockey game because every two points are so huge, so important, and because of a guy's ego it just blows everything out of proportion and they're making bad calls and the fans are paying for it and we're paying for it."

Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said the remarks were Burrows' opinions but the club would look into them, although he stopped short of calling for the league to investigate.

"If those (allegations) are true, then they'll need to be brought up ... I haven't looked into that. I just heard about it a while back there, so we'll see what happens.

"We're going to talk to Alex (Burrows). We're going to the bottom of this, and we'll see what (recourse) we have and we'll take it from there."
Canucks' Burrows slams referee after loss to Predators

Canucks forward Alexandre Burrows did not hold back about what he felt were unjust penalty calls, ripping into NHL referee Stephane Auger after Vancouver's 3-2 loss to the Nashville Predators on Monday night.



This will not end up good for either one

Suspensions and fines?

When I played hockey, I had refs tell me that all the time especially after breaking my stick over the back of the other guys leg or when I purposely shot the puck at the referee or into the opponents bench.

When it comes to the pros, you would think that the ref would be smarter than to actually say it to his face. If it's true, the ref should be suspended IMO

[DwightShrute]

This is turning into a huge story






MCKENZIE: THE BURROWS-AUGER SAGA IS GOING TO GET MESSY

This Alexandre Burrows-Stephane Auger situation is going to get messy. It's the proverbial can of worms for everyone involved – the league, the NHL Officials' Association, referee Auger, player Burrows and the entire Vancouver Canucks' organization – and it's a story that is not likely to go away any time soon.
If the events of last night unfolded as Burrows has alleged – and there is plenty of evidence, circumstantial and otherwise – to suggest they did more or less, then the NHL will have no choice but to take some form of disciplinary action against Auger, be it a reprimand, a fine, a suspension or an evaluation that could go into his file and cost him playoff games and/or money along the line or maybe even his job.
And the NHLOA, the refs' and linesmen's union, will no doubt have no choice but to do everything possible to protect Auger, who by the way was the official who assessed Shane Doan a 10-minute misconduct that led to a major brouhaha over whether player uttered a cultural slur.
So you see where this is headed, eh? Nowhere good.
For those who may have missed it, here's the long story-short version of what went down:
In a Dec. 8 game between Vancouver and Nashville, Predator player Jerred Smithson was assessed a five-minute charging major and a game misconduct by Auger for a hit on Burrows. Nashville won the game 4-2, but in the aftermath of the game, the NHL rescinded the major/game misconduct against Smithson because the video evidence strongly suggested Burrows embellished the hit and faked an injury.
Fast forward to last night's game between the same two teams in Vancouver.
Burrows alleges that Auger came up to him in warm-up, before the anthem, and there is video showing the two having a conversation.
''A ref came over to me and he said I made him look bad in Nashville on the Smithson hit and he said he was going to get me back tonight,'' Burrows said after the game.
Auger called a diving penalty on Burrows early in the third period and then called him for an interference penalty in the last five minutes of the third period. Shortly after that, Canuck forward Henrik Sedin was assessed a tripping minor and the Predators scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the third period. In the final seconds of the game, Burrows received a 10-minute misconduct from Auger for telling the ref what he thought of him. Burrows, by the way, scored both Canuck goals and came close to getting a third hat trick in four games.
After the game, a distraught Burrows fired both barrels at Auger.
''He got me on the diving call, I didn't think I was diving,'' Burrows said. ''He got me on an interference call that I had no idea how he could call that. It changed the game. It sucks right now for teammates who are battling for 60 minutes to win a hockey game because every two points are so huge, are so important. And because of a guy's ego, it just blows everything out of proportion and the refs – they're making bad calls and the fans are paying for it and we're paying for it.
''He comes into the game and he knows he going to make a call against me to give Nashville an advantage and I don't think that's fair for my teammates and the fans. After my second penalty, I skated by him and he said, 'If you say a word, I'm going to kick you out,' so I didn't say a word because I still thought we could come back and win the game. But with three seconds left and a faceoff outside the zone, I thought I could tell him what I thought about him.''
When Burrows was asked how this 'personal' thing originated, he replied:
''When Smithson hit me from sideways and (Auger) said, 'I saw the replay, you had your head up, you weren't really hurt and you made me look bad so I'm going to get you back tonight' and he did, and he cost us two points.''
If the allegations are true – and Burrows has far too much detail and at the very least a compelling case of circumstantial evidence (the video of the Pre-Game conversation, the diving penalty, the interference penalty and the misconduct penalty) – then the league has no choice but to discipline Auger in some form.
We will, of course, have to get Auger's account of what did or didn't happen between him and Burrows, but the optics at this point are not great for the ref.
Burrows could also conceivably get dinged in the way of a fine for his post-game comments.
Here's my take on it:
While there is bound to be great outrage in Vancouver and from the Canucks' organization, the biggest mistake seemingly made was if Auger verbally suggested anything, including retribution, to Burrows.
If Auger was going to put the screws to Burrows, he should have just done it. One and done. Score evened. No words would need to be spoken. Everyone starts with a clean slate after that.
I know that view will outrage many and there will be talk about how officials should be above that and the integrity of the game and all.
But the NHL has, to some extent, always been a self-policing league. It happens on the ice between players and it happens on the ice between refs and players and it always has.
Is it conceivable that Auger was embarrassed and maybe even criticized for assessing a major penalty against Smithson on Dec. 8 because of Burrows' acting job? Referees are only human. If a player makes a monkey of a referee, there is going to be a price to be paid. It could come in the form of that player not getting a call when fouled or maybe getting whistled himself on a marginal call. Or both. And maybe for a good, long time. But as long as the game of hockey has been played, there's been a give and take between the players and officials that goes beyond the 'official' channels.
There is a lot to admire about Burrows as a hockey player. He's a self-made man, a player who was never drafted. He worked his way up from the East Coast Hockey League to be quite a good player. At one point last season, I ruffled a few feathers when I suggested he was the Canucks' MVP. Everything he has, he has earned although that probably includes the perception and reputation of being Sean Avery Lite, a motor mouth who instigates and antagonizes and acts to get every edge he can get.
But Burrows needs to understand that if he's going to do something – embellish a hit and/or fake injury to draw a major penalty – that ultimately embarrasses the ref, there's going to be payback at some point. That's hockey. And while the Canucks can be outraged, and rightfully so at how last night's game went down, it wouldn't be a bad idea for someone from management or another veteran player on the team to take Burrows aside and explain that refs are only human and if you rub their nose in it, you're going to get it back.
The league tried to deal with the broad issue of embellishment and fakery awhile back, but it was one of the biggest messes it has ever had. The league tried fining players for diving/embellishing/faking and the NHL Players' Association was up in arms over that. Then the league started making the names public of guilty parties and that didn't go over too well. Now, outside of the odd phone call/warning/reprimand that goes on behind the scenes, there's not an awful lot the league can do to combat it.
In theory, a referee should be above evening the score or settling personal vendettas, but hockey is anything but a theoretical exercise.
Bottom line, if the Burrows-Auger situation went down as Burrows outlined it last night, the league has no choice but to discipline Auger.
But if ever there were a time for the NHLOA to show its teeth in support of one of its members, this is likely it.
And if Burrows and the Canucks think they will ever come out ahead on this one – if they intend to play the 'victim' card with gusto – there is the potential for a lot of really ticked off NHL referees who don't like seeing one of their brothers hung out to dry for trying to teach a player a lesson about what happens in the old school when you embarrass or humiliate an NHL referee.
And that, like I said, is a real can of worms for everyone.

http://tsn.ca/blogs/?id=305809

[DennisGreen]

I believe every word Burrows says because the calls on him yesterday were absolutely pathetic. No way in hell they should have been penalties. Cost the Canucks the game. They had a PP with 4 mins left and then the pathetic call on Burrows and another weak ass call on Sedin and there goes the game. I hope somehow this idiot ref gets whats coming to him.

[Skaramouche]

definately seemed like the ref wanted Vancouver to lose. 2 or 3 calls were absolutely ridiculous. especially that diving call. there is no way that was diving, not even close. the commentators calling the game were certain that it was a tripping call on Nashville and everyone was extremely surprised when they announced that Burrows was going to the penalty box. what a bunch of BS

[DwightShrute]

100% agree with both of youz

[Masu485]

this is a HUGE story. i'm surprised not many people are talking about it here.

[DennisGreen]

this is a HUGE story. i'm surprised not many people are talking about it here.

Most people here only care about winning and losing money unfortunately No money involved in this scandal that I'm aware of. If there was it would have 1000 hits by now.

[ochenta y cinco]

As a Quebecer myself, I'm saddened to hear about this story as Auger is one of the only francophone refs in the NHL today. However, I reckon that he deserves a suspension for how he officiated the game. There's absolutely no way a ref can get his emotions involved in any type of sporting event, wether it be minor, junior or professional hockey.

This is not the first time Stéphane Auger gets himself into this type of controversy. As a Habs fan, I remember 4 years ago when he accused Shane Doan of pronouncing racial slurs after a call he didn't appreciate in a game vs MTL. Now I'm doubting even more that Auger was being sincere about what Doan told him. Maybe once again it was a personal thing that he blew out of proportion...

I expect the league to take severe measures. This must not happen again, this is pro sport... every game, every 2 points count. Players and coaching only should decide of the income.

[ochenta y cinco]

It turns out that the NHL has fined Burrows $2,500 for critizing a referee's work. Meanwhile, Auger gets nothing at all because of the lack of proof.

[DennisGreen]

It turns out that the NHL has fined Burrows $2,500 for critizing a referee's work. Meanwhile, Auger gets nothing at all because of the lack of proof.

Yeah I didn't realize Auger was involved in the Shane Doan controversy too wow. I'm sure the NHL is having a private talk with him after reviewing his calls though.

[DwightShrute]

funny how the writers in Toronto see it ...

http://thestar.blogs.com/thespin/

Funny how people are so ready to believe Alex Burrows, and so ready to assume Stephane Auger essentially cheated the Vancouver Canucks.
Come to think of it, funny how it's always the Canucks screaming outrage about something. Unless, of course, its a Vancouver fan shining a laser into the face of an opposing goalie. Then, in the words of Alain Vigneault, they're just "great fans."
They sure get unhinged in a hurry over hockey in Vancouver. Geez, years later, you can still get folks all up in a lather over the Bertuzzi-Moore incident, claiming Steve Moore deserved what he got and how he faked his injuries, etc.
Never much moderation out of B.C. when it comes to these things.
Just last summer, Canucks GM Mike Gillis accused the Leafs not once but twice of illegally meddling in Vancouver team business. The NHL essentially laughed and went on to other business.
Now Burrows and his accusations against Auger, which have many in Vancouver screaming that justice must be done, how this proves referees carry grudges and how Auger should be thrown out of the sport.
For starters, how do we know Burrows is telling the truth?
There's absolutely no corroboration of his story. What we do know is that he's a known dive artist and agitator who is more than happy to fake an injury or a foul if it draws a penalty against an opponent. He believes referees are there to buy into his various cons and acting jobs.
He's a pretty good hockey player, too. It's just that the nonsense sometimes overshadows the ability, just like his teammate, Ryan Kesler.
Auger? Solid, not spectacular ref. Not one of the NHL's best, but solid. To be honest, most nights I couldn't tell you who the referees are any more. It's just not a big factor to me.
The willingness of so many to accept Burrows' story, however, is just an extension of the way in which many adults feel when they go to the neighborhood rink and watch their kids play. So many constantly harp on referees and accuse them of deliberately falsifying calls to benefit one team or the other.
Let's face it. As a nation, we're a bunch of crybabies and referee baiters.
To many (say, Leaf broadcasts) the game is nothing more than a constant discussion of officiating calls, how they got it right or wrong or why they missed this or that. Always, there's an underlying message — Pat Quinn is the best at this — suggesting the men in the striped jerseys are somehow dishonest, unmanly and not to be trusted.
Hockey Night in Canada fostered this mentality for years, although it has improved slightly in this regard in recent times.
There's still an attitude in this country that the best officiated game is one in which referees don't make any calls at all but simply give the advantage to the lesser skilled players and the lowest common denominator.
I always want to ask those people what they think the refs are out there for. To break up fights, I guess. But not too quickly.
I don't know what Auger said to Burrows. But I don't believe Burrows, either, and I don't believe the integrity of the sport has been terribly compromised.
I do believe the Canucks are making a mountain out of a molehill. But then, they always do

[DwightShrute]

The story just won't go away.

Mclean really looks dumb here. like he can really know what Luongo said to Burrows when he was lying on the ice and what he said to Luongo and the trainer also? Come on!

I like Mclean but he really showed a dumb side on this clip. Can it have anything do with him being a part time ref? the ref should be suspended. They both agreed it was a penalty, Burrows and the ref and he clearly intentionally misused his position in the rematch and basically admitted it, clearly he is biased
What did Mclean clearly prove about Burrows that he keeps referring to? Nothing!

Colin Campbell is in a no win situation

[Busterflywheel]

Most people here only care about winning and losing money unfortunately No money involved in this scandal that I'm aware of. If there was it would have 1000 hits by now.

No more no worries