When you’re a young athlete, you’re taught that sportsmanship should always be at the forefront, regardless of whether or not it negatively impacts the outcome for your own team.
But in the NHL, acting in the interest of ‘the good of the game’ is, well, less common.
Except, however, on Monday night, when the Colorado Avalanche took on the New York Islanders in Denver.
Late in the first period, Colorado’s superstar defenceman Cale Makar takes the puck back in behind his own net, swiftly pursued by Islanders forward Mathew Barzal. At first glance, it appears that Barzal trips Makar, sending the Avalanche to the man advantage. Even the referee was convinced, as his arm went straight up, blowing his whistle as soon as New York touched the puck.
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But Makar had other plans, instantly shaking his hand toward the official, indicating that there was indeed no penalty. Shortly after, the referee agrees to change his mind and announces that there will be no penalty on the play – which was received by a nice chorus of boos from the home fans.
However, what the fans didn’t know at the time, was that it was their own fan-favourite defenceman who convinced the ref to change his mind.
Makar explained his thought process after the game.
“The ref who called it wasn’t the guy at centre ice,” said the reigning Norris trophy winner. “He was kind of behind the net on the far side. I don’t think he had a good angle on it. He just saw me fall. I would like to think most times I fall it’s usually because somebody trips me. That one I just lost an edge. I felt pretty guilty for the boys there.”
Barzal’s stick does clip the speedy defenceman on the shoulder, but it appears that Makar loses an edge, rather than being tripped.
Even Barzal was shocked by Markar’s actions.
“Obviously good sportsmanship on his part,” said the Islanders forward. “I don’t know if I would have done the same, to be honest with you.”
Maybe Makar is a true believer in karma, or maybe he is just a really good sport.
Regardless, don’t expect to see something like that in the NHL – or professional sports as a whole – again very soon.
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