TORONTO — Alex Burrows certainly has everyone's attention — the NHL, referees, players, coaches, fans.
The Vancouver Canucks winger, after a 3-2 loss Monday to Nashville, said referee Stephane Auger warned him before the game that he would get even for a Dec. 8 game against the Predators. Burrows was hit by the Preds' Jerred Smithson in that game.
Burrows said Auger approached him in warmups Monday and told Burrows he made him "look bad" on the call and that he would get even. Burrows was called for a diving penalty and an interference penalty, both in the third period and was livid after the game.
The NHL has said it will investigate Burrows' claims.
Canes coach Paul Maurice, asked today about the incident, did not specifically comment on it but said in general he likes having the referees "a little involved."
"I like it when they have some emotion and have some conversations," he said.
Maurice also defended the referees to a degree, noting, "I think they hit the re-set button pretty good every night they come out. I mean everybody has their guys where you seem to lose more games with certain referees on the ice, but I really think by the time the puck drops, because these guys do so many games and there's so much yapping that goes on on the ice, they've got a real thick skin.
"I don't think they carry anything with them, game to game."
Maurice said he recalled a game in which long-time referee Paul Stewart stepped between two players who were roughing it up and yapping near their benches.
"He came over and absolutely abused them for not having gotten into a fight yet," he said. "He said 'You guys are taking way too much time and you're not really fighters and what do you think you're doing?' Both guys kind of looked at each and skated away.
"I thought that was a great bit of refereeing. So I like the referees to get involved a little bit with the players and develop that kind of relationship with them. Sometimes if it boils over, usually maybe a player said something first."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Auger
Tue, 01/12/2010 - 17:47 — hellfishYou can't have refs w/personal agenda's it would be akin to points shaving or a "pre-fixed game with a ref saying "i'm evening things up now"...ban him from ANY competitive Hockey game period!
"Hit the re-set button pretty good"
Tue, 01/12/2010 - 14:51 — wxray1Sorry Paul. Keep making comments like that and you lose all credibility. You should have just kept your mouth shut. Maybe you win with the refs up in hockey center of universe when this is published, but you are losing me and other fans quickly.
I know Mo wasn't coach, but the Florida game in '07 says it all. Denis Potvin was flapping his jaws about Cane's "diving", as usual. (He had it out for Justin Williams for some reason, he was obsessed with the Canes after '06, degrading everyone and anything they did at every meeting.)
Well, well. Miracles of miracles. Canes get called for breathing, including 2 dives, one on Rosie. Mind you, this was young pre-millionaire Rosie, when all he did was put 100% honest effort out every night. Rosie got slammed, and was called for a dive.
So Mo, don't go telling me about "resets". These guys carry a lot of stuff over.
Refs & Umpires
Tue, 01/12/2010 - 14:31 — esteban1949in the NHL & MLB are pretty much the same..you can make your point and push just so far...but when anyone crosses that line...don't stand there and plead ignorance...as it is just plain stupid...in this case or the ref named Auger...i don't think he was out of line...but seeing i wasn't there...didn't hear word for word of who said what and how...then all i as a fan can or should do is let the ref do his job...and when he or anyother ones screw up...then go after them...and throw a half eaten hot dog or pop corn at him...whoops that was when we played outside as kids...hehehe...do that now, and you get the boot and possibly arrested...not a good thing huh ??
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