There are moments in hockey that go far beyond the final score, moments that leave fans buzzing long after the last whistle. Last night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, as the Canadiens clashed with the Boston Bruins, one such moment unfolded—a moment so subtle yet so striking, it has quickly become the talk of the town. For those who witnessed the game, there was an unmistakable tension simmering beneath the surface, a charged atmosphere that seemed to hinge on a single, unexpected incident involving one of the team’s brightest young stars.

Juraj Slafkovsky, the Canadiens’ towering 21-year-old forward, has always drawn attention for his physical presence and raw talent. Drafted first overall in 2022, the Slovakian winger has steadily carved out a reputation as a player who refuses to back down from any challenge. But last night, Slafkovsky found himself at the center of a situation that no amount of skill or determination could have anticipated—a scenario that has left fans, analysts, and even fellow players questioning the true nature of what transpired on the ice.

It all began innocently enough during the warm-up, with Slafkovsky focused and determined, ready to make an impact against a formidable opponent. Yet as the game progressed, an unexpected exchange between Slafkovsky and referee François St-Laurent sent shockwaves through the arena. What started as a routine play quickly escalated into a moment of high drama, one that seemed to blur the lines between coincidence and intent. Was it simply a case of bad luck, or was something deeper at play?

The incident, captured by the keen eyes of journalist Stu Cowan, has sparked a whirlwind of speculation. Cowan’s observations, shared widely across social media, hint at a possible undercurrent of animosity—a suggestion that the referee may have allowed personal feelings to influence his decision-making during a critical juncture in the game. While nothing has been confirmed, and the official record offers little explanation, the questions linger: Did Slafkovsky’s actions inadvertently provoke a reaction from St-Laurent? Was the penalty that followed merely a standard call, or was it something more?

As fans dissect every frame of footage and debate the implications online, the story only grows more compelling. The Montreal Canadiens, already grappling with injuries and looking to their young stars for leadership, now find themselves navigating a new layer of intrigue. Slafkovsky, with nine points in 18 games this season, faces added pressure—not just to perform, but to rise above the distractions swirling around him.

In the world of professional hockey, where every move is scrutinized and every decision can shift the momentum of a game, last night’s events have left everyone searching for answers. What really happened between Slafkovsky and St-Laurent? Was it a momentary lapse, or the beginning of a much larger story? As the dust settles, one thing is certain: the full truth remains tantalizingly out of reach, and the only way to uncover it is to dive deeper into the details.

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Journalist Stu Cowan noticed a very intriguing moment that occurred last night during the game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins.

These are only his observations, but referee François St-Laurent appears to have “taken revenge” on Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky last night right in the middle of the game.

See the journalist’s post below.

“Juraj Slafkovsky almost took referee Francois St. Laurent’s head off with a dump-in shot and was given a dirty look. Seconds later Slafkovsky gets a penalty for hooking.”

– Stu Cowan

#Habs Juraj Slafkovsky almost took referee Francois St. Laurent’s head off with a dump-in shot and was given a dirty look. Seconds later Slafkovsky gets a penalty for hooking.

— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) November 16, 2025

And let’s just say it was a very borderline call – one that probably shouldn’t have been made at all…

You can imagine how much this is being talked about today!

Did referee François St-Laurent get revenge on Juraj Slafkovsky last night during the Montreal Canadiens game by calling a penalty on him?

Let’s just say Mr. St-Laurent was really, really not in a good mood with Slafkovsky after the young forward nearly hit him in the face with a puck.

In short, we’ll likely never know for sure whether that hooking call was a little act of revenge from the referee – but the signs certainly seem to point in that direction.

Juraj Slafkovsky, 21 years old, is a 6-foot-3, 225-pound forward who was the Montreal Canadiens’ 1st-round pick in 2022.

He has nine points in 18 games this season, including six goals.

With the recent injuries announced, Slafkovsky will certainly need to step up his game and take on greater responsibilities.