Peter Laviolette had an interesting discussion with the ref. (Predators)
Peter Laviolette had an interesting discussion with the ref. (Predators)

With more behind-the-scenes shows in the NHL, we often get to be a fly on the wall for those moments that were closed off to fans previously. One of those moments that might be of most interest is the conversations that take place between an angry head coach and the on-ice officials. What are they so upset about? Bad calls? No calls? What about winking at the other team’s bench?

That’s what had Nashville Predators coach Peter Laviolette all hot and bothered during a recent game between his team and the Chicago Blackhawks. On the Predators-produced series Beneath the Ice, the cameras and microphones followed a heated conversation between Peter Laviolette and referee Kevin Pollock.

Laviolette accused the ref that he had winked at the Blackhawks’ bench after the two talked previously. That accusation didn’t sit too well with Pollock who threatened to toss Laviolette if he kept yelling at him.

As Pollock skated away, Laviolette really gave it to him: “Don’t lie to me and tell me you didn’t wink.”

Predators defenseman Seth Jones was smiling away on the bench as all this is happening and added the hilarious exclamation point to this whole exchange.

“I literally just saw him wink,” said Jones to teammate Eric Nystrom.

This is why we’re glad these shows exist. You can watch the rest of this Beneath the Ice episode, which also includes some cool moments from the Predators' dads trip, here:

[H/T Reddit Hockey]