Kerry Fraser: Leaf-hater for life

[GLG]

Often criticized for his hair, this ref has shown a clear bias and arrogance toward the Leafs during his entire reign as a ref in this league. Anybody who can look objectively at his calls can see this.

I'd rather not relive the most famous Fraser / Leaf incident of the 1993 playoffs. Even Fraser himself admitted he f-ed up that call.

The admission came many years too late.

And here we are again. Another Leaf season possibly decided by a single Fraser oversight. Even after his admission of the '93 F-up.

Well, at least he's consistent: consistently bad, that is.

Canada.com

"What's concerning to me is I don't know how [Fraser] makes that call with such conviction," said veteran forward Jeff O'Neill. "It's a terrible call and it's unacceptable at this time of the year. The replay is clearly evident that it's not f---ing goalie interference. If it is goalie interference, call a penalty. We have to answer to people when we screw up, but I don't know what these guys have to do. It's a goddamn joke to be honest with you."

Yep. If it was GT interference, then why was that not called??

Fraser's explaination:

"The reason the goal cannot stand is because the Toronto player [Antropov] went hard to the net and was inside the paint tied up with [goalie Rick] Di Pietro," said Fraser. "The stick was between Di Pietro's legs and he couldn't get up. The rule is clear as it's written in the rulebook when the goalie is in the paint. I don't believe that it was worthy of a penalty; it's not the type of play where the goalie was run, but he was prevented from getting back up to stop the puck. And, we cannot have a goal stand under those circumstances."

(emphasis mine)

WTF???

This ass is talking out of both sides of his mouth.

First he says the goal can't count because DiPietro was prevented from getting up. In other words, the goaltender was interfered with.

But then he says he doesn't "believe it's worthy of a penalty."

So much for being clearly written in the rulebook, eh Kerry?? Which rulebook is this ass reading, anyways??

GT interference is definitely written clearly in that book. If he felt DiPietro was interfered with, that should have been the call, along with the goal disallowed.

But no. Let's apply Fraser's Leaf bias to it.

"Well, it's not a penalty, IMO, but the goal can't count because the Leafs might win.... I mean... because DiPietro was interfered with. The rule is clear on this."

And which one is the reason for DiPietro not being able to make the save? Poni's stick or Antropov in the crease? He seems to be pointing to both things, yet neither are worthy of a penalty.

Just the possible game-sealing goal dissallowed.

Comeon...

Overhead replays indicated that Ponikarovsky was shoved from behind into Di Pietro by defenceman Brendan Witt, and was deliberately backing away from the netminder when Sundin's shot from a difficult angle went in.

Canoe.ca

But Fraser, who was not on top of the play, waved off the goal after seeing Ponikarovsky tangled up with DiPietro. What Fraser missed -- and the replays appeared to show -- was Ponikarovsky getting checked into the netminder by Islanders defenceman Brendan Witt, followed by DiPietro latching himself on to the Leaf's stick.

Toronto Star

"Didn't get an explanation, didn't expect one, there isn't one," said Maurice. "Pony was there. He got cross-checked by (Brendan) Witt. Their goalie grabbed his stick with his hand and held it. Not sure what else we want Alex to do. He was doing everything he could to get out."

Gotta love Fraser's arrogance. He's way over on the other side of the ice from Mats. He doesn't even flinch when the puck goes in. Then skates over, see's Poni's stick touching DiPietro, and waves off the goal.
So calm; so cool; and nothing was going to get him to review the play. He felt he was right, and there was nothing going to get him to reconsider.

After all, he's Kerry Fraser. He never makes a mistake. Right???

[LeafFan66]

And as it turns out this bad call has costed the leafs a 2007 playoff spot.

[NapperX]

Originally Posted by LeafFan66

And as it turns out this bad call has costed the leafs a 2007 playoff spot.

Nope.