ST. LOUIS - When Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch came down from his owner's box Thursday and began questioning referee Kerry Fraser, the St. Louis Blues began doing some questioning of their own.
They felt Ilitch's encounter was serious enough to report the incident to the league office and they did so Friday.
The Blues lost 4-3 in overtime and were not happy about a string of third-period penalties that occurred after Ilitch's talk with Fraser. Ilitch was reportedly upset over Blues winger Dallas Drake's hit on Detroit defenseman Brett Lebda.
"People representing their hockey club aren't supposed to be taking to the officials at the game," Blues President John Davidson said. "With Mr. Ilitch talking to them, I didn't think it was right.
If it's allowed, then all 30 teams should bring their owners along and have them talk to officials during games.
"The league's going to take care of it and it probably won't happpen again."
Davidson took great care to point out the respect the Blues have for Fraser and other NHL officials, as well as the league office.
"I think that Kerry Fraser and the rest of them have high integrity levels," Davidson said. "I have no worries about that at all. It's just the idea of the thing.
We brought it to their attention and I'm glad we did."
Davidson also felt Drake's hit shouldn't have warranted a two-game suspension.
"In my view, no," Davidson said.
"They make the decision and the determination and we have to live with it."
Drake was suspended, but didn't even receive a penalty for the hit in question. He also was considered a "repeat offender" by the NHL since he was suspended for another unpenalized hit last season on Anaheim's Corey Perry.
"His arms were down and he had one skate on the ice at the time of impact, so he wasn't flying through the air," Davidson said.
Contact reporter Norm Sanders at or 239-2454.
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