Worst Tripping Call in Hockey History? Should Coaches Challenge Penalties?

A controversial tripping call in a high-stakes game between the Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild sparks debate over coach's challenges.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:42pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in vibrant colors, depicting a hockey game broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, capturing the intensity and controversy of a disputed penalty call.A cubist interpretation of a controversial tripping call, highlighting the need for improved officiating in high-stakes hockey games.Toledo Today

In a crucial late-game moment, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson was called for a tripping penalty against Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Foligno, despite replays showing Foligno fell backward on his own. The linesman failed to intervene, and the call stood, potentially altering the game's outcome. This incident has reignited the discussion around whether coaches should be allowed to challenge penalty calls in the NHL.

Why it matters

The tripping call against Hutson was highly controversial, as it appeared Foligno fell without any contact from the Canadiens player. This type of officiating error can have a significant impact on the game's outcome, especially in high-stakes situations. The debate over coach's challenges for penalties is an ongoing discussion in the NHL, as fans and experts argue that allowing challenges could help correct such egregious mistakes and improve the overall fairness of the game.

The details

In the late second period of the game between the Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild, the score was tied 3-3. Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson was skating the puck up the ice when Minnesota forward Marcus Foligno, skating backward, unexpectedly fell at the blueline. The officials immediately called a two-minute minor penalty for tripping against Hutson, despite replays showing Foligno lost his footing without any contact from the Canadiens player. The linesman, who should have had a clear view, failed to intervene and inform the referee that Hutson did not actually trip Foligno.

  • The incident occurred late in the second period of the game between the Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild.
  • The final score of the game was 4-3 in favor of the Canadiens.

The players

Lane Hutson

A defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens who was called for a controversial tripping penalty in the game against the Minnesota Wild.

Marcus Foligno

A forward for the Minnesota Wild who unexpectedly fell at the blueline, leading to the tripping call against Hutson.

Martin St. Louis

The head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, who could have potentially challenged the tripping call if coaches were allowed to do so.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to get these calls right. The integrity of the game is at stake.”

— Martin St. Louis, Head Coach, Montreal Canadiens

“Officiating errors like this can be game-changers. Allowing coaches to challenge penalties could help correct these types of mistakes.”

— Lane Hutson, Defenseman, Montreal Canadiens

What’s next

The NHL is likely to continue the ongoing discussion around allowing coaches to challenge penalty calls, especially in the wake of this controversial incident. If such a rule change were implemented, it could potentially lead to more accurate officiating and fairer outcomes in high-stakes games.

The takeaway

This tripping call controversy highlights the need for the NHL to explore ways to improve the accuracy of officiating, such as allowing coaches to challenge penalty decisions. While the current game lengths are valued, a compromise that enables challenges on close calls could help maintain the integrity of the sport and ensure that the right calls are made, even in the heat of the moment.