Evan Roberts goes off on refs over controversial Islanders call
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Hockey isn’t a frequent topic on New York sports talk radio, but Evan Roberts couldn’t keep quiet about the controversial goaltender interference call against the Islanders’ Kyle Palmieri during their 4-3 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets on Monday night.

The referees nullified what would have been a game-winning goal with just 8.9 seconds remaining, a decision that not only infuriated the Islanders but also bewildered many hockey fans. 

Islanders supporters were even more upset after the team’s shootout loss, which cost them a critical point in their playoff pursuit. This led WFAN host Roberts to criticize the officials at the start of Tuesday’s “Evan & Tiki” show. 

“Let me just get this off my chest. We don’t have to talk about it, I just want it out there in the ethers,” Roberts started off saying. “The New York Islanders got screwed last night, OK? We all know it. That’s what happened. They got hosed out of a point. The officials suck, Toronto sucks, the Islanders got screwed, now let’s move on.”

The conversation ended right there, but Roberts certainly encapsulated what many fans had been feeling after the controversial goaltender interference call. 


Islanders center Kyle Palmieri (21) yells at officials after their goal was overturned in the final seconds of regulation when the New York Islanders played the Columbus Blue Jackets Monday, March 24, 2025 at UBS Arena.
Islanders center Kyle Palmieri (21) yells at officials after their goal was overturned in the final seconds of regulation when the New York Islanders played the Columbus Blue Jackets Monday, March 24, 2025 at UBS Arena. Robert Sabo for NY Post

The players and head coach Patrick Roy blasted the call after the loss, with Palmari calling it “f–king embarrassing” and the Isles’ bench boss saying that the NHL situation room in Toronto was “afraid” to overturn calls. 

“Palmieri was out of the crease and he tipped it in. I think their goalie [Elvis Merzlikins] pushed him away at the same time,” Roy said. “So that’s how I see it. If Toronto’s afraid to overturn calls made by the referee, we don’t need Toronto.”


Kyle Palmieri #21 of the New York Islanders bumps Elvis Merzlikins #90 of the Columbus Blue Jackets in overtime which led to a disallowed goal at UBS Arena on March 24, 2025 in Elmont, New York.
Kyle Palmieri #21 of the Islanders bumps Elvis Merzlikins #90 of the Columbus Blue Jackets in overtime, which led to a disallowed goal at UBS Arena on March 24, 2025 in Elmont, New York. Getty Images

The Islanders entered Tuesday’s slate tied with the Rangers with 74 points, just one point back of the Canadiens for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. 

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