Ahead of tonight's Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, the NHL announced the referees, and fans are not happy with the choices for tonight's game in Sunrise.
The Florida Panthers have a chance to clinch the Stanley Cup on home ice as they face the Edmonton Oilers with a 3-1 lead in the series. The referees for tonight's cup-clincher at Amerant Bank Arena, are Dan O'Rourke and Steve Kozari, and fans are upset about this pairing for such a pivotal game.
Fans are livid because the Panthers are undefeated this year when O'Rourke officiates and have a 4-1 record with Kozari. In contrast, the Oilers are a combined 0-9 in games officiated by either referee.
Let's hope the referees don't impact tonight's game and that we get fair officiating. However, given the Panthers' favorable records with these refs, they seem to have the upper hand, which means it's likely they'll clinch the franchise's maiden Stanley Cup on home ice tonight.