In a shocking display of misplaced blame, Dallas Stars coach Pete DeBoer claimed that the refereeing decisions played a role in his team's rough 7-4 defeat to the Colorado Avalanche in Game 6. After this chaotic game at Ball Arena, DeBoer took to the press podium, insisting his players deserved credit despite the unfavorable "bounces" and referee calls.

However, let’s put things into perspective: Did the refs cause the Avs to outshoot the Stars 48-23? Did they orchestrate the bizarre series of events that led to two Dallas players accidentally scoring on their own net? DeBoer’s complaints seem more like a diversion than a valid critique.

The Stars Prepare for Game 7 Showdown

As the series heads to a pivotal Game 7, DeBoer acknowledged the challenge ahead. "It would have been easy just to mail it in and get ready for Game 7," he said, yet his team stood firm during the chaos. His disappointment over supposed poor officiating stirred curiosity among reporters.

When pressed about specific calls he believed were mismanaged, DeBoer abruptly changed the subject, telling reporters to “watch the game tape.” Perhaps he was referring to an incident where Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar collided with Stars winger Mikael Granlund, leading to a questionable interference call that sparked outrage from DeBoer.

Game 7: The Stakes Are High

The upcoming Game 7 looms large for both teams, with the series tied at 3-3. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar is aware of the underlying intensity, remarking, "You’re playing top teams right from the start, and every round if you want to get where you want to go. It's almost like survival." He holds a 0-3 record in Game 7s with Colorado, and this time, he’s looking to change that narrative.

In Game 6, the hockey gods seemed to favor the Avs, leading to two bizarre bounces that swung the momentum in their favor. Sam Steel’s attempt to clear the puck turned disastrous, resulting in an own goal by the Stars that left goaltender Jake Oettinger bewildered.

The Players Make the Plays