Official game misconduct

Referee’s career is over after a hot mic catches him saying he wanted to call a penalty against the Nashville Predators

Tim Peel’s hot-mic admission that he wanted to penalize the Nashville Predators cost him his job as an NHL referee Wednesday.

Peel’s career as an NHL referee came to a halt after his voice was picked up by a TV microphone saying he wanted to call a penalty against the Predators during their game against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday in Nashville, Tenn. Peel issued a minor tripping penalty against Preds forward Viktor Arvidsson five minutes into the second period.The league on Wednesday announced that Peel “no longer will be working NHL games now or in the future.” Peel, 54, had planned to retire next month.

“It wasn’t much, but I wanted to get a (expletive) penalty against Nashville early in the ... “the unidentified official was heard saying before the microphone was cut. Peel worked the game with referee Kelly Sutherland.

His dismissal drew a mixed reaction from the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers, but all stopped short of saying he was treated unfairly.

“You know, I know Peelsy pretty good. I like the guy,” said Panthers coach Joel Quenneville, who dealt with the veteran referee during his 10-plus years as Hawks coach as well. “He’s been a great referee for a long time.

“Everybody has a way of doing their job. Whether it’s articulated or not, there’s always different standards. Every game’s different for referees, like it is for players and coaches. You adapt to the way the game’s being called and the way it’s being played. They have nights where it’s going to be different as well. Got a lot of respect for a tough job.”

Some observers have countered that most, if not all, referees issue makeup calls to balance the scales — Peel just got caught. Asked if Peel was being punished too harshly, Quenneville said: “I like Peelsy, so I don’t know. I’m not getting into that.”

Hawks coach Jeremy Colliton seemed even more reluctant about addressing the subject.

“I’m not going to comment on officiating,” he said. “We’ll leave that to the league.”

Hawks defenseman Nikita Zadorov was cautious as well but shared some of feelings on the controversy.

“I can say a lot, but I don’t want to get fined,” Zadorov said. “I mean, it’s been ups and downs this year; some games it was good, some games it’s bad. It depends on the referees you get.

“I saw one on them lost his job today. But they’re humans too? Everybody’s making mistakes. At the end of the day we have to look at them with respect.”

Chicago Tribune reporter Phil Thompson contributed.