Los Angeles Kings general manager Dean Lombardi has apologized to NHL vice-president Mike Murphy for an outburst following his team's loss to the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night, but still expects a phone call from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

Lombardi was furious after a Coyotes goal scored by Martin Hanzal on a high stick was allowed following a lengthy review by the league's war room in Toronto. He said Murphy’s decision was swayed by the fact that he didn't get the GM job with the Kings.
"I called Mike Murphy and apologized first thing this morning," Lombardi said. "He was very professional and a bigger man than me."

Asked if he was trying to deflect attention away from his team which has been slumping after a terrific start, Lombardi admitted, "Yeah, there was some of that."

Still, Lombardi was upset at the call and how the on-ice officials handled it.
"They are supposed to get together and discuss it so that one has the opportunity to over-rule the original call," Lombardi said. "I mean it was so obvious it was knocked in with a high stick. Our defenceman Matt Greene is 6-foot-3 and the guy’s stick was right in his face."

The Coyotes went on to win the game 2-0, handing the Kings their third straight defeat.
An irate Lombardi called out the NHL's review crew after the game.

"When the guy in Toronto making the decisions on the goals, in Ottawa and the one tonight, wanted the G.M.'s job in L.A. and was not happy about not getting it, you have to assume you are going to get those type of calls,'' Lombardi told lakings.com. "However, we have put ourselves in a position where these calls have a monumental effect on our season, and we're going to have to find a way out of it ourselves.''

Kings head coach Terry Murray also expressed his frustration following the loss.
"I don't know why we have video replay in the National Hockey League,'' Murray said. "That's all I can say. If the replay is there for review of goals and non-goals… I don't know. You've got a guy who gets credit for the goal. He's 6-foot-6, and the stick is up above his head. Matt Greene is 6-3, and he's batting the puck down his his hand beside his ear, and the net is four feet high. It doesn't add up.

"It makes no sense. No sense. How does it get called on the ice a goal, first of all, and then how does the replay hold it up? I don't know. I don't have an answer.''

Murray was asked if he got an explanation from the on-ice officials.
"They don't come near you," Murray said.

The NHL has fined Los Angeles Kings president and general manager Dean Lombardi $50,000 for critical comments he made on Thursday night. Lombardi called into question the integrity of Mike Murphy, the NHL's senior vice-president of hockey operations after a controversial goal by Martin Hanzal during L.A.'s loss to the Phoenix Coyotes.

'There is no acceptable explanation or excuse for commentary challenging the integrity of the League's Hockey Operations Department in general or Mike Murphy, in particular," Commissioner Gary Bettman said.

'People can disagree with a call by an official on the ice or an official in the Situation Room in Toronto, but even in instances of the utmost frustration there is no justification for speaking as inappropriately and irresponsibly as Mr. Lombardi did," Commissioner Bettman added. 'Mike Murphy is a devoted caretaker of the game. His commitment to the National Hockey League, all 30 of its Clubs – and to the game – is beyond challenge, question or debate.

His commitment to the National Hockey League, all 30 of its Clubs – and to the game – is beyond challenge, question or debate.