AHL Announcer Blasts 'Disgusting' Ref Call in Calder Cup Finals

A penalty ruling in the Calder Cup Finals left Chicago Wolves color commentator Bill Gardner furious.

In the second period of Game 2 between the Wolves (Carolina Hurricanes affiliate) and the Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs affiliate), Chicago was called for a slashing penalty that resulted in a penalty shot for Toronto's Alex Nylander.

Gardner sounded off about the official and the 'disgusting' call.

The Chicago broadcast was critical of the officiating after Alex Nylander was awarded a penalty shot and scored to tie Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals.

"There's a stick in the right side. It's just a push of a hand!" Gardner said as the AHL TV broadcast showed a replay. "And that is a penalty shot? That referee should never referee another game in the playoffs! That is disgusting! What a terrible call! Yeah, it's okay; call a minor. That's a penalty shot? Come on!"

Nylander went on to score on the penalty shot to tie the game 2-2.

"And that's a penalty shot?" Gardner added. "I don't agree with that at all. Wow! That is brutal! I was waiting for the hack… That is terrible refereeing again! How many times? He hardly touched him! My goodness!"

Toronto won 5-4 in overtime to take a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-seven Calder Cup Finals.