During a Bruins game in Boston, tensions rose dramatically when forward Jakub Lauko was penalized for interference against Panthers' goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.
The call, which appeared controversial after replays showed Lauko was thrown off balance by Panthers' defenseman Aaron Ekblad, sparked outrage among the fans.
No penalty was called on Ekblad, leading the frustrated Boston crowd to start chanting
"Ref, you suck"
and throwing items onto the ice, including full beer cans and water bottles. This caused a game delay as cleanup crews had to clear the debris.
Despite the disruptions, the game resumed with the Panthers scoring on the ensuing power play. However, the Bruins soon had a power play of their own, during which Lauko, just out of the penalty box, scored his first career playoff goal.
The incident highlights the need for fans to maintain sportsmanship, even amidst highly contentious calls.