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Jackets coach Scott Arniel wants more superstar treatment for Rick Nash

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When you’re a young coach in the NHL and running a team that’s relatively young on its own, life can be tough sometimes when looking to get the ear of an official. When one of those young players is a superstar, however, sometimes getting the attention of the referees can be made a little easier, just ask Sidney Crosby.

In Columbus, times are apparently a little bit tougher for coach Scott Arniel. Arniel blew his top at officials Bill McCreary and Denis LaRue after seeing his own superstar, Rick Nash, take an apparent high stick from Willie Mitchell in the waning minutes of what was a one-goal game. The Kings potted an empty net goal and went on to beat the Blue Jackets 6-4.

After the game, Arniel made it clear that he doesn’t think his superstar is getting the brand of superstar treatment he should be receiving. Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch shares the diatribe.

“I’m getting so frustrated,” Arniel said Saturday’s game. “I know I’m a young guy, and a young coach in this league. But to watch Rick Nash, what he has to take night in, night out ... I watch other star players and the treatment they get, the calls that they get.

“Nash gets tackled going to the net. He gets a stick across the face. No call. I don’t get it. We try to be ... I’ve worked with this team about not yelling at referees, not making them part of the focus. But maybe we have to do a little more crying and complaining. The stuff Rick takes for the superstar that he is ... it really pisses me off.”


Rage on, coach.

No one likes criers or complainers but it shouldn’t have to come down to a superstar getting worked over for referees to see a high stick or any other obvious penalty late in the game. The Kings were on their heels late in last night’s game and if a call is made there, momentum fully swings in Columbus’ favor to tie the game up in the closing minutes.

Instead, no call is made and the Kings are able to finish it off with the empty net goal. It’s a dramatic turn of events all things considered and one that helps make the Blue Jackets road trip all the more dire. Columbus finished their four-game road swing 0-4-0 and gave up an average of five goals per game in those losses. We’re sure that Scott Arniel is frustrated with everything but politicking for an extra call or two is something every coach does. Doing so by asking for more superstar treatment is at least a new, fun angle in doing so.