Bruins Have No Excuse for Not Playing Hard After Missed Noel Acciari Call

When will professional athletes wrap their minds around the fact that they have absolutely no say or will power when it comes to the calls of referees and umpires?

Despite the obvious notion and the undeniable fact that these officials will screw up on the big stage, blown calls shouldn't impact these ultimate competitors for more than 60 seconds. After that, it's time to move on and translate any frustration into intensity on the court, field, or ice.

During Thursday night's Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals, officials missed a blatant trip by the Blues' Tyler Bozak on the Bruins' Noel Acciari in the third period. While the Boston forward was down, St. Louis took advantage and Devid Perron scored.

Yes, this was an egregious no-call, but what proceeded was the Bruins giving absolutely no effort, sulking over the fact that they were screwed by the refs as if they are the first team in the history of sports to suffer this fate.

The players inexcusably personified the emotions of pundits and fans and it closed the book on any chance they had at coming back.

And no, we don't want to hear your rebuttals that the Bruins pulled one back before it was all said and done. Their rattled mindset and drained passion was evident. Now, the once heavy favorites find themselves on the brink of elimination heading back to St. Louis and the rambunctious Enterprise Center for Game 6.