Macklin Celebrini earns high praise for rare interaction with ref vs. Oilers

Referees miss calls and make poor calls all the time, evidenced by last night’s game between the Oilers and Sharks. Players mostly just try to roll with the punches, and take the breaks where they can get them - but Macklin Celebrini did something different that’s earning high praise from all hockey fans.

Midway through the third period, Celebrini was racing into the Oilers’ slot with Ekholm in pursuit. Ekholm attempted a stick-lift but missed, and his stick flew right by Celebrini’s face.

It’s a natural instinct to jerk your head with a stick flying by your head at top speed, and Celebrini did exactly that. Referees immediately called a high-sticking penalty, but then Celebrini did the sportsmanlike thing and explained to referees that he wasn’t hit with the stick.

Celebrini’s explanation didn’t stop the referees from making the penalty call, which is odd in its own right. However, it was astounding to see Celebrini actually plead with the referees to not call the penalty.

It’s a great display of sportsmanship and honesty from Celebrini, even if he couldn’t reverse the penalty call. As broadcaster Louie DeBrusk mentioned too, Celebrini is still a young player who doesn’t want a reputation of embellishing penalties.

Hockey fans from all teams emerged online with praise for Celebrini for his sportsmanship.

Celebrini is an emerging superstar in the NHL, with an incredible 79 points in 52 games on a Sharks team that was in the basement just last season. It’s absurd that this 19 year old is just 15 points behind McDavid in scoring this season.

He’s absolutely earned being added to Team Canada’s Olympic roster, and this is a tremendous display of character that will earn him plenty more fans in Canada. This is the kind of player you want to represent a country.

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