Hot Mic Captures Referee Correcting Penalty from Minten to Hagens
In Monday's Bruins-Senators game, officials initially sent Fraser Minten to the penalty box for a slashing minor. Minten protested, and with the referee's microphone live, the crew corrected the call and assessed the penalty to rookie James Hagens instead. Hagens later scored Boston's only goal, but Ottawa won 4-1.
During Monday’s Bruins-Senators matchup at TD Garden, Fraser Minten was initially assessed a first-period slashing minor. He objected, and with the referee’s microphone live, officials corrected the penalized player before action continued. The minor was instead charged to James Hagens, a 19-year-old rookie centering Boston’s fourth line, at 15:15.
Hagens later scored Boston’s lone goal in the third, banking a steal off Ottawa goaltender Samuel Ersson. Tim Stutzle scored twice in Ottawa’s 4-1 win. Minten, 22, recently signed a seven-year, $50.4 million extension with Boston.
This hot-mic correction may reinforce that officials can fix identity mistakes before play resumes, potentially affecting how fans, players, and broadcasters view referee accountability. It could also shape discussions around rookie treatment and penalty-box fairness, though its broader societal impact is likely limited to sports audiences and NHL rule literacy.