VIDEO: Did Andrew Shaw Yell a Gay Slur at Ref After Flipping Him Off?
By Kyle Koster
Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw was given a two-minute penalty for interference in crunch time of the third period in his team’s 4-3 loss on Tuesday night. Although the call was warranted, Shaw proceeded to give an official the double-middle-finger salute and rage in the penalty box.
Cameras captured him shouting an apparent homophobic slur in two separate occasions.
Shaw himself claims not to remember what he said.
"“I mean, emotions are high, I really don’t know what’s said,” Shaw said. “I was obviously upset with the call being that late in the game (as) it doesn’t give us a chance to tie it up.” When asked again if he used the slur, Shaw replied: “Like I just said, I can repeat myself for you. Emotions were high. I don’t know what was said. Obviously, I was upset with the call. It was late in the game like that. I wasn’t happy with the call.”"
Shaw’s reluctance to incriminate himself isn’t entirely surprising and his postgame comments won’t have too much of an impact on his situation moving forward. The videotape speaks for itself.
Although the NHL is more reluctant to hand out suspensions during the postseason, it now finds itself in a difficult position. The league has partnered with the You Can Play Project in the interest of getting this nonsense out of the game entirely.
With the Blackhawks now down 3-1 in the series to St. Louis, the team now has an off-ice issue to deal with in addition to a formidable on-ice mountain to climb.