Hot Mic Catches NHL Ref Making Up A Call, Now He's Been Fired

The NHL has dropped the hammer on NHL referee Tim Peel after he was caught making up a penalty call on a hot mic during Tuesday's Predators-Red Wings game in Nashville. The NHL released a statement Wednesday morning saying Peel is done in the league.

"There wasn't much but I wanted to get a f--king penalty against Nashville," Peel could be heard saying on the hot mic. The Preds won 2-0, but it doesn't matter. Peel's history.

"Nothing is more important than ensuring the integrity of our game," the NHL VP of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell said in the league's official statement. "Tim Peel's conduct is in direct contradiction to the adherence to that cornerstone principle that we demand of our officials and that our fans, players, coaches and all those associated with our game expect and deserve. There is no justification for his comments, no matter the context or his intention, and the National Hockey League will take any and all steps necessary to protect the integrity our game."

According to an NHL ref bio page, the 53-year-old Peel worked 1,343 regular-season games and 90 playoff games as of February 1. He reffed first NHL game in 1999. He also worked the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games and the 2012 All-Star Game.