Several Blue Jackets fans said NHL referee Paul Devorski made a "crying face" and an obscene gesture toward them early in the third period of Monday's 4-3 shootout win over Minnesota in Nationwide Arena.
NHL director of officiating Terry Gregson acknowledged yesterday that the league was investigating the incident, but - as of late afternoon - said he'd "learned nothing that has substantiated these allegations."
As of 6 last night, however, the Blue Jackets said they had not been contacted by the league regarding the incident.
Devorski, a 21-year veteran and one of the league's most respected officials, denied the accusations in an e-mail exchange with The Dispatch but has declined to speak publicly.
Early in the third period, a roar emanated from section 109 - behind the goal in the attack two zone - during a stoppage in play.
Several fans said Devorski, who along with fellow referee Ian Walsh had taken abuse from fans all night, gave some back.
"Two guys in front of us started giving the refs (grief) after they clearly missed a call," said season ticket-holder Ritter Hoy, who was seated five rows up from the glass. "Happens every game, right?
"Well, the No. 10 official (Devorski) put his fingers up and rubbed his eyes and made a crying face, like 'What are you going to do, cry?' They started giving him more (grief) and he put his middle finger up to his chin and acted like he was scratching his face.
"It was very, very blatant. The whole section saw it and went crazy."
Several other fans e-mailed and tweeted The Dispatch with similar accounts, including Jed Kinderknecht, who was seated four rows off the glass.
"(Devorski) wasn't hiding his face or trying to mask his gesture," Kinderknecht said. "I remember being surprised because I have never seen a professional ref respond to fans like that."
Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason gave up a goal on the Wild's third shot of the game Monday, but made 37 saves, stopped one of two shots in the shootout and won for only the second time since Nov. 22.
He looked out of position, at times, but also made some sterling saves, especially in overtime.
"He looked like he was at the top of the crease," Blue Jackets coach Scott Arniel said. "Looked like he was confident.
"It's a good first step, but that's all it is. He got himself a win in a crazy game. As I've said all along, it's not going to be fixed overnight, but it's a good first step."
The Blue Jackets had brief talks with the New York Islanders regarding defenseman James Wisniewski, The Dispatch learned, but never came close to a deal. Wisniewski, who had three goals, 18 assists and a minus-18 rating, was traded to Montreal yesterday for a second-round draft pick in 2011 and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2012. The Blue Jackets did not practice yesterday. They're back on the ice at 10:30 a.m. today in the Dispatch Ice Haus.