NHL ref Wes McCauley with the most dramatic goal call ever (Video)

Sometimes you can’t help but get caught up in the excitement of a rivalry game. 

Just ask Wes McCauley, the veteran NHL referee who unleashed perhaps the most empathic and memorable “good goal” call we’ve ever seen in the San Jose Sharks’ 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night.

In the third period, Melker Karlsson appeared to give the Sharks a huge goal to make it a 4-2 game with less than four minutes remaining. The on-ice officials were told that the play was under review from the NHL’s Situation Room, to see if the puck had been kicked behind goalie Jonathan Quick.

The review was completed. McCauley skated to center ice, and declared:

“AFTER REVIEWING THE PLAY … THE CALL ON THE ICE … STANDS … WEGOTTAGOAL!!!!!”

A longer look:

THAT … ahem, sorry, that was awesome.

Kudos to McCauley for unleashing a Frank Drebin-as-Enrico-Palazzo level of over-the-top drama in his call. Had he moonwalked and done finger guns, not an eye would be batted.

Seriously, if they’re going to slow the game down with several video reviews a night, the least we can get are NHL referees playing up their calls with gusto.

C’mon Dan O’Halloran: You know you want to sing your next coach’s challenge decision to the tune of “Danny Boy.”

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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at [email protected] or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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