Goaltender interference has been a hot topic at all levels of hockey. We’ve seen a run of ‘incidental contact’ calls that have negated potential goals as well as goaltenders unable to stop pucks when they’ve been bumped in the crease.
Last Sunday, in the third period of a 1-0 game, Chicoutimi Saguenées goaltender Storm Phaneuf decided he’d had enough.
As Drummondville Voltiguers forward Dylan Montcalm crashed the net, he was checked by Chicoutimi’s Nikita Liamkin. The impact sent Montcalm into Phaneuf, who took exception to the contact. With both players still down on the ice, the goaltender kicked Montcalm in the chest.
Phaneuf, who’d held the Voltigeurs scoreless through 52 minutes of play, was given a match penalty for kicking by referees Dominick Bédard and Alexandre Côté. Montcalm also went off, picking up a minor for goaltender interference.
Goaltender Julio Billia was perfect in support of his ejected teammate, maintaining the shutout while Chicoutimi tacked on two empty-netters.
Referees Dominick Bédard and Alexandre Côté discuss the play
After the game, additional discipline was handed out by the QMJHL:
The Director of Player Safety of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Raymond Bolduc, suspended Storm Phaneuf of the Chicoutimi Saguenées for 8 games with an additional 1 game automatic suspension for a total of 9. The suspension was handed out following an incident that occurred on November 30th, against the Drummondville Voltigeurs.
Montcalm was injured on the play, as one would expect when being kicked in the chest with a goalie skate. There’s no word on the severity of his injury or how long he’ll be out of the Drummondville lineup.
Phaneuf, on the other hand, will most certainly miss the Saguenées’ next nine games.
GIF via @myregularface / GIFGoldmine
