Burrows Accuses Referee Of Vendetta

Alex Burrows has been the hottest player on the Canucks scoring nine goals in his last five games but the feisty winger may find himself in hot water with the National Hockey League for comments made after tonight's game against the Predators. Burrows claims that referee Stephane Auger was out to get him after an incident when these two teams met on December 8th.

In that game, Predators forward Jerred Smithson received a game misconduct on a hit on Burrows. According to Burrows, Auger felt that Burrows dived and made him look bad. "It started in warm-up," Burrows said. "Before the anthem, the ref came over and said I made him look bad in Nashville on the Smithson hit and we was going to get me back tonight."

During tonight's game, Burrows received an interference call late in the third period just after the Canucks were given a power play. Henrik Sedin took a penalty shortly after to give the Predators a 4 on 3. Shea Weber quickly scored the go ahead goal and the Predators won 3-2.

"It started in warm-up," Burrows said. "Before the anthem, the ref came over and said I made him look bad in Nashville on the Smithson hit and we was going to get me back tonight.

"When Smithson hit me sideways he said 'I saw the replay you had your head up and weren't really hurt and you made me look bad and I'm going to get you tonight and it cost us two points.'"

"He got me on a diving call that I didn't think was diving and an interference call. I had no idea how he could call that. It changed the game. Right now, for our teammates are battling hard to win. Because of a guy's ego, it just blows everything out of proportion and the refs are making bad calls and we're paying for it."

"He comes into the game and he's going to make a call to give Nashville the advantage and I don't think that's fair for my teammates and for the fans. After my second penalty, (misconduct) I skated by him start I'm going to kick you out said we could still win the game with three seconds left. It's stupid he takes it personal against guys."

"I think he should sit out the rest of the year making calls like that are making us look bad."

-Jason Botchford of The Province

The NHL will most likely come down hard on Burrows whether the allegations are true or not. The league will not like these comments being made public. However, if this is true, it could be a severe black mark on the NHL as it basically means the referee fixed the game as revenge on Burrows.