Upset at officiating, ECHL coach ejected after tirade featuring mock surrender

Curtis Marouelli is an ECHL ref who hasn't had the best of months. A few weeks ago, the nephew of NHL ref Dan Marouelli misinterpreted a rule that drew the ire of the ECHL's vice president of hockey operations after he allowed a goal despite the net being displaced from its moorings.

On Friday night, Marouelli reffed the game between the Ontario Reign and Colorado Eagles, one that featured a parade to the penalty box with 106 PIMs between the two sides leading to 10 power play goals. The game ended in favor of the Reign 9-8 after a shootout, but the highlight was the reaction from Colorado head coach Chris Stewart after one of Marouelli's calls in the second period.

Eagles forward Liam Huculak was whistled for a questionable goaltender interference (hey, just like the NHL!), which led to Stewart's frustration with the officiating boiling over:

Yes, that was Stewart imitating Roger Neilson, who after seeing his Vancouver Canucks team get penalty after penalty called against them during a 1982 playoff game against the Chicago Blackhawks, decided to put a white towel on the end of a stick and wave it from the bench in a mock surrender.

As soon as Stewart finished littering the ice with water bottles, he was ejected.

According to the Reporter Herald, Stewart wouldn't talk about the incident after the game, but forward Chad Costello did.

Before the game, it was announced that Colorado and the Budweiser Events Center would host next year's ECHL All-Star Game.

Stick tap to Michael S. for the video

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy