Lightning’s Boucher hopes for fairness from ref Furlatt

Boucher

TAMPA — It seems like the rivalry between the Tampa Bay Lightning and referee Eric Furlatt will continue tonight in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final at the St. Pete Times Forum against the Bruins.

And Lightning head coach Guy Boucher isn’t afraid to throw some fuel on the fire.

When asked about “one particular” referee for tonight’s game, Boucher acknowledged that one of the two on the sheet for tonight has a record that could be classified as biased against his team.

“[It's] 24-9 against, right?” said Boucher about the penalties Furlatt has called the last four times he’s worked Lightning games. “Yes, I’m aware of it. Very aware of it. Very, very aware of it. It has been a part of our discussions quite a few times in the last game, the last games we did have that particular ref. And it is lopsided.

“But the only thing we can control is what we do on the ice and hope that things will be fair like it is with everybody else.”

Tonight’s other referee is Kelly Sutherland. Maybe he’ll be more sympathetic to Boucher’s team.