Wow. I have never seen such terrible reffing even from a house-league level of hockey. Four players left the game with injuries, the captain, top defenceman, second-pairing defenceman, and the 50-goal scorer. All on hits from behind. All without calls. Not to mention the “too many men” call when the Senators pulled their goalie. And the ejection of the head coach.

What would have been a great game was destroyed by the officiating last night. For many Sens fans that stayed up until well past midnight to watch the entire game, it was a disappointment. There are hordes of fans planning to write the NHL head office, and The Hockey News about what transpired.

Anton Volchenkov: hit from behind half-way through the first behind his own net. He left for the remainder of the period with a sore shoulder, (the same one he had surgery on over Christmas four years ago). There was no-call on this play, when it was pretty obvious.

Andrej Meszaros: Another hit from behind and tackle, leading to an injured knee also half-way through the first. He needed team-mates help to get off the ice, and no call, even though he was being sat on. He returned for the second, surprisingly, it looked like it would be a season-ender for sure.

Daniel Alfredsson: Left the game after being cross-checked from behind and may miss time with possible cracked ribs. No call as well on the play, and it was the most obvious penalty of the injuries. He did not return.

Dany Heatley: the 50-goal-scorer received a cross-checking minor at the end of the game, after being cross-checked himself. He left the ice with two trainers chasing him going into the tunnel. No updates on his status.

This, coupled up with the continuous running of goaltender Martin Gerber, left head coach Bryan Murray fuming. He was ejected from the game, leaving the one assistant coach on the bench, Greg Carvel, to lead the Senators for the rest of the third period. Up until this point, it was a 2-1 game with a chance of a come-back for the Senators. Good on Murray for standing up for his team. After four players leave the ice, you would think the refs would at least give out equalizers? Not happening.

“I just kept telling (Wes McCauley) it was a bull—t call. ‘That’s a bull—t call you made. He said, ‘Say it again and you’re gone,’ so I said it again,” said Murray.

Good on you, Bryan Murray. The Senators need your emotion right now on the bench. Now the NHL will be forced to review the reffing tonight with your ejection. I’ll be at the next home-game, behind the bench, cheering you all the way.