Golden Knights GM says NHL apologized for officiating in Game 7

The NHL reached out to George McPhee to issue an apology for the five-minute major assessed to his club in Game 7, the Vegas Golden Knights general manager told reporters, including The Athletic's Jesse Granger, on Thursday.

"They made a mistake and I’m sure they feel bad about it," McPhee said.

Despite the controversial loss, the Golden Knights GM insisted his team isn't going to dwell on what transpired.

“There will be no pity parties," McPhee said, according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "Stuff happens in games. We’re going to take the rear-view mirror out and put a real good team on the ice next year. We’re not going to carry around a big suitcase full of yesterdays."

Vegas forward Cody Eakin was handed a five-minute major and a game misconduct in the third period of the decisive contest against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night for cross-checking Joe Pavelski, who left the game bloodied and didn't return.

The Sharks, who trailed 3-0 when the penalty was called, scored four times on the power play and ultimately prevailed in overtime.

Referees Dan O’Halloran and Eric Furlatt, who called Game 7 between the two sides, were not selected to advance to the second round, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli. It will be the first time in more than a decade that O'Halloran has not refereed in the conference finals according to Scouting The Refs, Seravalli added.

Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault called the major penalty "a f---ing joke" and "embarrassing" when asked about it postgame.