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Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach Blasts Officials After Loss to the Montreal Canadiens Last Night

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TJ Tucker
November 28, 2024  (9:18)
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Dean Evason, coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, is not happy with NHL officials for what he believes was a missed call in overtime against the Montreal Canadiens.

It was a matchup between two teams who aren't playing for much other than pride this season. Still, the game between the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets didn't come without controversy.

It was a back and forth game with both teams managing to score 3 goals each, but what led to the game-winning goal by Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki has Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason hot under the collar.

Here's the goal in question. At the very first of the video, you can see Columbus's Kent Johnson fall to the ice before the Canadiens turn the play around and score the game-winning goal.

Dean Evason was furious following the game, saying officials should have called Suzuki for pulling down Johnson.

"That can't be not a penalty. It makes no sense. I don't care if it's the first (period) or overtime, you cannot reach your hand in and grab a guy. Even if they're even, but (KJ) is ahead of him.

The only reason they get even is because he gets yanked back. It makes no sense. I just don't I don't understand it. The refs have been fantastic. Fantastic. But that was not a good play."

The Blue Jackets, who were recently linked to a trade involving a former 75-point player, dropped to 9-9-3 on the season with the OT loss. Montreal, who recently had a failed multi-player trade revealed by insider Tony Marinaro is now 8-11-3.

Dean Evason is a passionate guy, and coaches will always stick up for their teams when they feel they've been wronged. I'm not convinced Evason has a point on this one, though.

It looks to me like Kent Johnson lost his footing, with no help needed from Nick Suzuki on the play. Evason is doing what NHL head coaches do, but this seems like a big pile of nothing.

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Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach Blasts Officials After Loss to the Montreal Canadiens Last Night

Do you agree or disagree with Dean Evason's assessment of the play that led to Nick Suzuki scoring to overtime winner?