Hockey

The NHL is investigating an alleged threat by referee Don Koharski against the Edmonton Oilers’ Craig Simpson and Esa Tikkanen.

During Thursday’s game between the Calgary Flames and Oilers, Koharski gave the Oilers two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties during their 7-2 loss. The Flames scored five power-play goals.

“After the last goal, he (Koharski) started laying into us,” Simpson told the Toronto Globe and Mail. “He made threats to us. He said to Tikky and me that he would get us in Vancouver on Saturday.”

Said NHL supervisor Jim Christison: “The answer from the referee was that he said, ‘Tell me what you want, but tell me in Vancouver.’ I know the players heard and said other things, so we’ll investigate further.”