"I've had way worse [ref interactios] in my years": Habs' David Savard makes his feelings known after being assessed 10-minute misconduct penalty

Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard was surprised and frustrated after being assessed a 10-minute misconduct penalty in the team's 3-2 overtime loss against the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday.

The penalty reduced Savard's ice time and impacted the Canadiens, who fell to 7-11-3 on the season.

David Savard initiated an animated conversation with the referees at the end of the second period, which led to the misconduct penalty being assessed.

"I was surprised. Obviously I've had way worse [interactions with refs] in my years. It is what it is; he makes the call and I have nothing to say," David Savard said about the penalty.

Savard expressed his frustration with the call and the referee's decision:

"Like I said I think I've had worse in the past; it's a game of emotion and we've had some back-and-forth with some refs in the past and it was fine - I guess it wasn't [fine] tonight."

When asked if he had ever received a 10-minute misconduct before, Savard remarked:

"I think I had one in Detroit - I wonder if it was the same ref...? Maybe, I don't know, I can't remember."

Alex Newhook and Jayden Struble scored for Montreal, while Utah had goals from Dylan Guenther, Jack McBain and Mikhail Sergachev.

Karel Vejmelka stopped 11 shots. Sam Montembeault stopped 26 shots in the loss.

Fans react to David Savard's 10-minute misconduct penalty

David Savard's 10-minute misconduct penalty against the Utah Hockey Club has drawn reactions from fans.

Many were critical of the refs for giving Savard such a long penalty for what appeared to be a minor infraction.

One fan tweeted:

"10 minutes for hurting the refs feelings?"

Another fan joked:

"Probably thanking the refs for their fine work."

Here are some fan reactions:

"Wild. Rightfully calling out a trash ref who for some reason still don’t have any accountability after games and he gets his little feelings hurt so it’s a misconduct? Joke league. Embarrassing." one fan wrote.

"Not good, that’s a lot of TOI for the others to pick up" another fan wrote.

"Just once i’d like to see this team just ignore a blatantly bad penalty. Like just start Savard. Don’t send him to the box. Play 5v5. Take the fine. Make the league look at it and maybe more teams will do the same. Only then will we get good refs." a user commented.

"I'm guessing it must be because he cussed out the officials " another user wrote.

Next, the Canadiens will face against the Colombus Blue Jackets on Wednesday at Nationwide Arena.