NHL Declines to Discipline Dallas' Marchment

Dallas Stars forward Mason Marchment tapped referee Graham Skilliter on the shin pads with his stick during Game 3 of the playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets, frustrated by missed calls. Although NHL rules prohibit physical contact with officials, Marchment was not penalized during the game and, after a league review, faced no supplemental discipline because officials concluded the act was not serious or intentional. The decision drew criticism from fans and analysts, who cited past suspensions for similar conduct and expressed concern over inconsistent rule enforcement. Marchment reportedly apologized to Skilliter at the start of the third period, which may have influenced the outcome. The Stars won the game and took the lead in the series, but the league's handling of Marchment's actions remains controversial. The incident has sparked debate about the NHL's standards for penalizing abuse of officials.