Florida Panthers not the only "team" having a bad day in Game 2 of 2023 Cup Finals.

The Florida Panthers were not the only team having a bad game last night, although, they had seven Goals scored against them, I'd argue the referees were having just as bad of a night.

throughout the game, there were multiple instances of cheap shots "behind" the refs back - more so, just constantly up and down the boards throughout the game, and I do not mean just cheap brushes, I mean, crowd and Television commentators alike, yelling about actual punches being thrown, and play not being stopped.

The series has been very physical, but I think this game goes to show what happens when it is not controlled. the worst part, the officials had no idea HOW to control it, and that was made clear. at the end of the second period, Vegas' Jack Eichel took a toe pick spill when he saw Florida's Matthew Tkachuk heading toward him for what was bound to be a big hit (it was). regardless of how big a hit it was, it was 100% legal. Tkachuk lead with his shoulder, and finished the hit in that way as well.

Well, guess what? he was given a 10 minute misconduct and sent down the tunnel till the next period (as was Vegas' forward Ivan Barbashev for sticking up for Eichel after the hit).

that sadly, was not the end of the pointless misconduct calls. not for Tkachuk, nor the team of officials.

in the third period, Tkachuk could be seen poking at the stick of Vegas' Right Wing Amadio, as it usually goes, knocking it out of his glove, which the officials then gave Tkachuk a 10 minute game misconduct for.

Think the officials are done there? Nope!

Nick Cousins (FLA) was handed a 10 minute misconduct with about a minute left, and Sam Bennett received the same fate with eight seconds remaining. the reasons? simply brushing up with Vegas players -no, not fighting....basically making and/or sustaining close contact with someone from the other team.

The Officials are not what we come to/watch the game for, but I can definitely say, they were just behind the Panthers with struggling during the game, and way ahead when it came to not knowing how to handle a game.