It was a tale of two high sticks in the Stars/Leafs game on Thursday, December 5.
The first happened midway through the third period, when Shawn Horcoff tipped in what would’ve been the game tying goal. Referee Jean Hebert immediately waved off the goal, stating that it was deflected by a high stick. Video review confirmed the call.
From the NHL:
At 9:42 of the third period in the Stars/Maple Leafs game, video review upheld the referee’s call on the ice that Vernon Fiddler’s shot was deflected by Shawn Horcoff’s high stick into the Maple Leafs net.
According to Rule 60.5 “An apparent goal scored by an attacking player who strikes the puck with his stick carried above the height of the crossbar of the goal frame shall not be allowed. The determining factor is where the puck makes contact with the stick.”
No Goal Dallas.
Just eight minutes later, a similar situation played out.
This time, the shot came from rookie defenseman Kevin Connauton. Once again, Shawn Horcoff deflected the shot. Having learned from his mistake earlier in the period, Horcoff kept his stick below the crossbar and tied the game at two.
From the NHL:
At 17:14 of the third period in the Stars/Maple Leafs game, video review upheld the referee’s call on the ice that Kevin Connauton’s shot was deflected into the Maple Leafs net by Shawn Horcoff. Horcoff’s stick was below the cross bar when he deflected the shot.
According to Rule 60.5 “An apparent goal scored by an attacking player who strikes the puck with his stick carried above the height of the crossbar of the goal frame shall not be allowed. The determining factor is where the puck makes contact with the stick.”
Good Goal Dallas.
Horcoff’s goal tied the game at 2-2.
Dallas went on to lose in overtime, but Shawn Horcoff – and his quick stick height adjustment – earned the Stars one valuable point in the super-competitive Western Conference standings.
