Bruce Cassidy slams NHL refs for missed trip that injured Brayden McNabb and led to OT loss

Game 2 between the Golden Knights and Oilers had all the drama you’d expect from a playoff showdown but what’s got Vegas fans fired up isn’t just the loss. It’s what happened right before it. Coach Bruce Cassidy didn’t hold back when blasting the refs for missing a clear trip that injured Brayden McNabb just seconds before the Oilers’ OT winner. And while Edmonton celebrated, Vegas was left fuming over a no-call that changed everything.The Vegas Golden Knights were battling hard in a Game 2 thriller, but everything unraveled in overtime and Bruce Cassidy says it never should’ve come to that.With the game tied 4-4, defenseman Brayden McNabb took a “can opener”-style trip from Viktor Arvidsson. No whistle. No penalty. Just seventeen seconds later, Connor McDavid set up Leon Draisaitl for the game-winning goal, putting the Oilers up 2-0 in the series.Cassidy didn’t mince words. “(The referee is) looking at it. He blew it. He missed the call,” he said postgame. “It’s a dangerous play. It’s all those things.”McNabb, one of the Golden Knights’ most respected locker room leaders, didn’t return after the hit. Cassidy admitted his absence was felt not just strategically, but emotionally. “Nabber is probably one of the most popular teammates in the room. It’s not as easy as it looks to keep playing through that. We’re human,” he added.As of Friday, McNabb’s status for Game 3 remained up in the air. Cassidy said they’d evaluate him on Saturday ahead of puck drop.To make things worse, Vegas had to kill off a massive five-minute major in overtime after Nicolas Roy cross-checked Trent Frederic in the face. While Roy avoided suspension after a Friday hearing with NHL Player Safety, he was fined, adding even more drama to a wild finish.Despite all the chaos, Vegas had battled back from a 4-2 deficit to force OT. That comeback effort made the sudden loss sting even more. “It stings to lose that way,” Cassidy admitted.Game 3 shifts to Edmonton, where the Oilers are undefeated this postseason. If Vegas wants to swing momentum, they’ll need McNabb back and maybe a few more calls to go their way.Also read - Anthony Stolarz’s recovery timeline uncertain after head injury: Latest updates