Buddy the Ref and NHL Lumberjacks

On this week's #RefsPodcast:We’ve seen Will Ferrell at hockey games as Buddy the Elf, but he recently sat ice-level at a Kings game in full ref gear. Those Christmas bills are coming due as the NHL dishes out fines to Tampa Bay Lightning’s Scott Sabourin, Florida Panthers’ Anton Lundell, and New York Islanders’ Mat Barzal - who channeled his inner lumberjack to take a hack at Mason Marchment.Florida Panther Brad Marchand avoided a suspension - which would have seen him miss the Winter Classic against the New York Rangers - for elbowing Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike MathesonKicking it in Miami as Sam Reinhart’s skate goal gets waved off for a distinct kicking motionSeattle Kraken’s Vince Dunn has a goal called back for interference, but surprising not the kind of interference you’re thinking ofThree retirements north of the the border as Ryan Hutchinson works his final OHL game and longtime officials Chad and Cody Huseby wrap up their WHL careers. And, from the mailbag, an interesting opportunity to pull the goalie on a delayed whistle.Clear your calendars! Oilers fans—imagine spending a week in the sun with Edmonton legends! The Edmonton Hockey Legends Cruise 2026 sails July 17–24, 2026 aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, cruising the Mexican Riviera.On board: Jason Strudwick, Bill Ranford, Ron Low, Gene Principe, Jack Michaels, Kelly Buchberger, and Louie DeBrusk.You’ll get meet & greets, hot-stove sessions, Q&A panels, autographs, and a chance to watch the World Cup Final at sea with the legends. Cabins start at $2,399 CAD, and it’s just a $500 deposit to lock it in.Book at cast.tours/edmonton and use promo code REFS2026 for $100 off per person—again, that’s cast.tours/edmonton - promo code REFS2026 - to save $100 per guest. ---------------Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠scoutingtherefs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow @scoutingtherefs and @toddlewissports on Twitter/X, Instagram, BlueSky, and Threads. Email us your questions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Questions? Comments? Just looking to vent? Call the RefLine and leave us a message at 585-484-REFS!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #RefsPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We'll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was - or wasn't - handed out.