NHL BREAKING NEWS: The NHL abruptly fired four Canadian referees who officiated the game between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars, who were involved in the biggest bribery scandal in..see more…….

*May 29, 2025 – Edmonton, AB* — In a bombshell announcement that has sent shockwaves through the hockey world, the NHL has abruptly terminated four Canadian referees who officiated Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the Dallas Stars. The firings come amid explosive allegations of bribery and match manipulation, described by insiders as the “biggest officiating scandal in modern NHL history.”

The referees, whose identities have not yet been publicly confirmed by the league, reportedly faced an internal investigation after several controversial calls during the highly anticipated playoff matchup. According to early reports, the officials are accused of accepting illegal incentives from an unnamed third-party betting group with alleged ties to offshore gambling networks.

The controversy first ignited during Game 1, when Oilers captain Connor McDavid was assessed a questionable four-minute double minor for high-sticking Dallas forward Matt Duchene. The penalty came after a long pause in play and was widely criticized by fans and analysts alike.

“The call changed the entire momentum of the game,” said former NHL coach Mike Sullivan during a TSN panel. “You could feel the tension. It wasn’t just about one play—it was about the pattern we were seeing all night.”

Social media erupted with outrage. Fans flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit with accusations of bias and corruption, sparking hashtags like

According to anonymous league sources, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety and Legal Affairs launched an internal probe after receiving anonymous tips alleging irregular communications between the referees and external gambling interests in the weeks leading up to the playoffs.

One league official, speaking under condition of anonymity, said, “We take the integrity of the game extremely seriously. Any official who compromises that will be held fully accountable.”

Following a closed-door emergency meeting with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and legal counsel, the league officially terminated the contracts of all four referees late Wednesday night. The NHL issued a brief statement:

The National Hockey League has relieved four referees of their duties following an investigation into serious breaches of league conduct and officiating ethics. We are committed to preserving the integrity of the sport.

No criminal charges have been filed as of publication, but legal experts expect law enforcement agencies in both Canada and the United States to open formal investigations.

This incident is likely to have wide-reaching implications for the NHL’s credibility, especially as legalized sports betting becomes increasingly embedded in the league’s ecosystem. Critics argue that the NHL’s partnerships with sportsbooks like FanDuel and BetMGM raise ethical concerns about how closely officiating decisions and betting outcomes may be intertwined.

“The integrity of officiating has always been sacrosanct in hockey,” said sports ethicist Dr. Rachel Kim. “This scandal could trigger a reckoning not just for the NHL, but for all professional sports leagues.

Despite the distraction, the Edmonton Oilers have remained focused, with team captain McDavid urging fans and players to “trust the process and let the league handle it.” The Oilers went on to win Game 2 in a commanding performance, leveling the series at 1-1

The NHL is expected to replace the dismissed officials with a fresh rotation for the remainder of the series, but questions remain about the long-term impact of the scandal.

For now, fans await transparency, accountability, and assurance that the game they love remains fair, competitive, and free from corruption.