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Will Ferrell Goes Full Referee at Kings Game

1/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Will Ferrell (actor) wore full NHL referee gear at the Los Angeles Kings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning game.
He sat behind the glass.
He called penalties and joked about his support for NHL referees.
He claimed to have trained on-ice officials Brandon Schrader and Francis Charron during a live interview.
The Los Angeles Kings won 3-2 in overtime.

History

Historical Context

In 1993, the NHL faced a referee strike that led to the controversial use of 20 replacement officials, disrupting the season. This event highlighted the critical role of officiating in ice hockey, a theme echoed in popular culture, as seen in Will Ferrell's humorous antics at a Kings game, illustrating the ongoing relationship between sports and entertainment in shaping public perceptions of officiating.

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Story summary

Will Ferrell (actor) wore full NHL referee gear at the Los Angeles Kings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning game.
He sat behind the glass.
He called penalties and joked about his support for NHL referees.
He claimed to have trained on-ice officials Brandon Schrader and Francis Charron during a live interview.
The Los Angeles Kings won 3-2 in overtime.

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