Bruce Cassidy, the outspoken former head coach of the Boston Bruins and current bench boss of the Vegas Golden Knights, never hesitates to speak his mind—whether it’s about players, opposing coaches or referees. And his fiery personality was on full display after a gut-wrenching overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 of their second-round series.
A Controversial Play Sparks Outrage
The game was tied 4-4 heading into overtime Thursday night in Vegas. The tension was high as both teams battled for the win. But just before Leon Draisaitl scored the winner 15:20 into overtime, a controversial play unfolded that had Cassidy seething.
Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb was skating behind the net to get the puck when Edmonton forward Victor Arvidsson tripped him, sending McNabb crashing into the boards. The hit was 17 seconds before Draisaitl’s goal, but no call was made.
Cassidy didn’t sugarcoat it after the game.
“Listen, Gord’s (Dwyer) looking at it,” Cassidy said, referring to the ref. “He blew it, he missed the call. I don’t know what else to say. I mean, it’s a can opener trip, it’s a dirty play, it’s all of that—but it didn’t get called, so you’ve got to keep playing.”
He was mad not just because of the missed call but because it directly affected the outcome of the game. The Oilers now lead 2-0 heading back to Edmonton for Game 3.
What Happened During the Play?
Replays showed Arvidsson stick him and trip McNabb and he loses control and hits the boards. While it wasn’t a penalty according to the refs, many thought it was at least a minor.
For Cassidy, it’s not just about one play – it’s about how these calls (or non-calls) can swing the momentum of a game, especially in the NHL playoffs.
Looking Ahead to Game 3
With the series shifting to Edmonton for Game 3 on Saturday, the Golden Knights are in a tough spot. Down 2-0 to the defending Western Conference champs, they need to dig deep and overcome the Oilers and their own frustration.
And to make matters worse, there are injury concerns – will McNabb be able to play after hitting the boards? And will Cassidy get league discipline for his post-game comments, which could come with fines or other penalties?
But Cassidy is confident his team can bounce back. He’s a resilient coach, and he’ll push his players to channel their anger into performance on the ice.