This is a league vendetta against a player at this point. Just like how Zac Rinaldo would get a "Moutguard Violation" every time he chewed on his mouthguard. Yet somehow Marner never got one....hmmm
This reminded me of a funny story once told to me by the late, great Kelly Thomson. The boys were out really late one night past curfew, and they all got caught. Not 100% sure who all was there, but Thomson & Perry were there for sure.
Branks got all of the offenders to the rink very early the next morning and bag skated them hard... well.. all of them except Perry. Thomson complained to Branks asking why Perry wasn't participating in the skate. Branks' answer? " You put 40 in the net you can do what you want as well"
Bottom line, favoritism has existed since the beginning of time. Is it right? Nope, but it's there. Does anyone seriously think that the first period of the first exhibition game is going to get officiated the same way as game 7 quadruple overtime of the Stanley Cup finals?
Do something stupid, learn from it and move on. Failure to learn from it and be prepared to suffer the consequences