For the most part, people consider it’s a bad thing if you noticing a referee in any kind of sporting event – but hockey refs have been changing that mentality over the past couple years.

Specifically, one referee has been providing highlights that are only topped by the most electrifying goals of the year, and even those are in tough.

The referee we speak of is Wes McCauley. Last year, he vehemently exclaimed that two skaters were going to the penalty box for fighting. The year before, he let everyone know that players were getting penalties because “You can’t do that”.

Well, now another character has been added to the ranks. 

Last night in the Golden Knights – Avalanche preseason matchup, Nathan MacKinnon received two minutes in the penalty to box for holding. As any player is when they are penalized, he wasn’t thrilled with the decision, and referee Reid Anderson had a simple response to his displeasure: “Get in there!”

 These referee moments genuinely make us want to find the NHL referee schedule and follow these dudes around on our TV. He’s the star the NHL has been craving for years. From now on, when people ask which team we root for, were just going to say the zebras.

They’re the real heroes of this game and it’s about time they start getting the recognition they deserve. Rack up another faceoff violation for these cheaters, boys.