In Game 4 of the first-round series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs, the officiating has been a hotly debated topic in the Toronto media. Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe has expressed frustration, claiming that the Lightning have influenced the referees at times during the series.
Despite Toronto's grievances with the officiating, Tampa has taken control of the game, with goals from Alex Killorn and Mikhail Sergachev giving them a comfortable 2-0 lead in the first period. The physicality of the game has also intensified, with more post-whistle scrums as the game progresses.
In the second period, with the score 4-1 in favor of the Lightning, another scuffle occurred, resulting in Lightning defender Sergachev and Leafs defenseman T.J. Brodie being sent off the ice by the refs.
Keefe was visibly angry on the bench, disputing the decision to penalize Brodie. Despite Toronto's objections, Tampa's dominant performance has put them in a commanding position as the game heads into the third period.
