If being around a player who trips himself is a new penalty in the NHL, Devils forward Stephen Gionta is the first player to fall victim to it this season. Of course, that's not a penalty, which makes this call from referee Dennis LaRue pretty ridiculous.
Jets vs. Devils: Mark Scheifele trips himself, draws penalty
Winnipeg got a free power play thanks to some poor officiating.
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sport
Midway through the first period, Jets forward Mark Scheifele lost his balance trying to corral a pass from his teammate and promptly fell flat on the ice. LaRue immediately called a tripping penalty on Gionta, who just happened to be skating near the scene of the accident at the time.
See for yourself:
The bemused expressions on both Gionta and Devils coach Peter DeBoer make this even more hilarious. The Jets failed to score on the ensuing power play, but it’s no matter. Let the arguments about robot refs begin.
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