Since when can an NHL goalie get away with throwing his stick at a referee? If you watched last night’s game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Phoenix Coyotes you know exactly what I’m talking about…

Sure, they were getting their butts kicked (5-2) but for the Phoenix Coyotes goaltender to lose his cool and throw his stick against the boards, narrowly missing the referee, and not get a call? Well, that’s just wrong. Especially when the refs are calling lesser unsportsmanlike penalties — like the one handed out to Canuck defenceman Kevin Bieksa (in the Vancouver vs. Dallas game) — who was penalized for elbowing when his team was already shorthanded and then had another two minutes added for slamming the door to the penalty box.

Playing by the rules…

According to the NHL Rulebook, Rule No. 88 “Stick Throwing” states: “A misconduct or game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on a player who throws his stick or any part thereof outside the playing area. If the offense is committed in protest of an Official’s decision, a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct plus a game misconduct penalty shall be assessed to the offending player.”

And according to Rule No. 41, “Unsportsmanlike Conduct”, which states: “A gross misconduct penalty shall be assessed to anyone who throws or shoots any equipment or other object in the general direction of an Official but does not come close to making any kind of contact. This action may occur on or off the ice.

Right now in most sportsbooks the Phoenix Coyotes are listed at 80/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup. The Edmonton Oilers are listed at 200/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup.