The Florida Panthers’ 5–4 double-overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers was marred by controversial non-calls that have ignited debate across the hockey world. Don Cherry, the former Hockey Night in Canada broadcaster known for his outspoken takes, didn’t hold back in the latest episode of his Grapevine Podcast, calling the officiating “embarrassing” and “a joke.”
Don Cherry Slams Stanley Cup Final Officiating in Game 2
“That was the worst refereed game I think I ever saw,” Cherry said. “It was that one. It was unbelievable.”
The game took place Friday night, June 6, at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The Panthers took a 2–1 series lead with a 5–4 win in double overtime. But the focus quickly shifted from the action on the ice to the performance of referees Chris Rooney and Jean Hebert.
Cherry and his co-host son, Tim Cherry, pointed to two critical missed calls, both leading directly to Florida goals. The first involved Panthers forward Sam Bennett, who allegedly kicked Mattias Ekholm’s stick away moments before Florida’s opening goal.
The Oilers were INCENSED as Sam Bennett accidentally on purpose knocked Mattias Ekholm’s stick away before the goal 😅 pic.twitter.com/DiEfA5Yh4L
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) June 7, 2025
Later in double overtime, Edmonton’s Viktor Arvidsson was reportedly halted by a sixth Florida skater on the ice, an uncalled too-many-men infraction.
I’m not sure how there’s a penalty. You can get away with a lot in overtime, but this is textbook too many men. Just like a puck over glass, this HAS to be called. pic.twitter.com/Jly5bMTXo8
— Ryley Delaney🏳️⚧️ (@Ryley__Delaney) June 7, 2025
“There should have been a power play,” Cherry said of the overtime sequence.
Don Cherry Criticizes Stanley Cup Final Referees in Panthers-Oilers Series
The hockey legend questions officiating consistency after key missed calls in Game 2
Don Cherry, 91, has spent a lifetime in hockey as a player, coach, and commentator. He’s seen it all. But what unfolded in Game 2 left him baffled.
While he praised the officials for calling a legitimate interference penalty on Bennett for falling on Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, he suggested it was the only major call they got right.
“Bennett did fall on him,” Cherry said, though he dismissed claims by Florida commentators that the Oilers had staged the moment. He explained that this kind of contact on the net has a long history in the NHL, comparing Bennett’s style to old-school agitators like Wayne Cashman and Gary Dornhoefer.
Don and Tim Cherry even played a clip of Canadiens legend Ken Dryden, who recalled how players like Dornhoefer perfected the art of falling on goalies without getting penalized. Dryden noted these players could make any collision look accidental, something Cherry believes Bennett is now doing, and doing well.
Despite his strong words, Cherry was not suggesting bias. He acknowledged Florida played a strong game but argued the missed calls gave them a decisive edge. “I think Florida should have won that game,” Tim Cherry said, “but the two goals they got—the first and the last—shouldn’t have counted.”
The officiating performance in Game 2 has sparked intense reactions online and in the media. Oilers fans are demanding accountability, while Panthers fans have remained largely quiet on the subject.
As the series moves forward, the spotlight is now firmly on how the referees will handle future games. Don Cherry’s remarks have added weight to a growing narrative: that playoff officiating, allegedly, has become less consistent, particularly when physical play is involved.
With Game 3 set to take place in Sunrise, Florida, all eyes will be on the officiating crew. Whether Cherry’s criticism leads to tighter officiating or more controversy remains to be seen.
