GENE'S BLOG: Gimme a Break

EDMONTON, AB - A long day of travel awaited Connor McDavid on Friday. It's not easy getting from Edmonton to Tampa but well worth it to start the All-Star break. A day to worry about TSA officials and not NHL officials after a memorable final game before the break. What a game? What a night? What a building? And what a captain? It was tension-filled, action-packed, drama-inducing right to the last shot.

It was last shot wins or loses.
With the game on his stick, McDavid delivered the deciding blow to extinguish any flicker of hope the Calgary Flames had of winning the latest version of the Battle of Alberta. Make it seven in a row over the provincial rivals who were cast as the villains in this latest instalment. They (and particularly Matthew Tkachuk) played the role to perfection. Calgary brought it and Edmonton brought some more thanks to McDavid.
I don't want to say what he did with his Oil-slick shootout move was ordinary or customary but seeing McDavid do things rarely seen anywhere else isn't wearing off. However, seeing him respond and react with emotion by insinuating the referees should maybe review the shootout goal was, as my daughter would say, 'savage.' It was a leftover feeling from minutes prior when it looked like Ryan Strome had won the game in overtime until it was determined McDavid had interfered with Flames goalie David Rittich. I think I saw McDavid talk to the officials more after that one call than I had seen him interact with a referee in all of previous NHL games put together.
McDavid is not controversial but he is honest so when asked about his suggestion the referees go upstairs and review his shootout winner Connor came clean. He was frustrated, he shouldn't have done it but he did. The words were barely out of his mouth and he was apologizing for it and saying he hopes the referees weren't mad at him. Not exactly a damning condemnation of the officials. The words came out of his mouth but came straight from his heart. That's how he felt and that's what he said and when McDavid talks people listen.

This was very un-McDavid like but I liked it. The league is a business and the players are the employees. The bosses run the NHL but it's the players who do the work. They understand what it takes to be successful at their jobs which then makes the entire business and League successful. McDavid wasn't trying to call out the officials but what he was doing is putting some attention on the overtime goalie interference call. Have a look at it. A closer look to see if it's the right call. If it is, we move on but if it's not, let's do something about it.
McDavid is not one to draw attention to himself.
Let me re-word that: McDavid does draw attention to himself by what he does and not by what he says.
It's not his style. He's a very respectful young man to the game and its history. However, I think as he grows into his role as a captain of one team and face of the League it is important for him to speak up when it's necessary. Not all the time but only some of the time.
In fact, when the time is right, his words might make a difference. Over the next few days while in Tampa Bay the Pacific Division captain need not worry about any controversy. It's all about enjoyment, hanging with family and chilling poolside if time permits.
Hopefully, McDavid, the Oilers and all of you enjoy the All-Star Break.