The Islanders opened the scoring against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the waning moments of the first period of Friday’s game.
Until, that is, the dreaded Coach’s Challenge.
Pens coach Mike Sullivan challenged the play citing goaltender interference. After review, referees Mike Leggo and Jake Brenk agreed.
From the NHL:
At 19:58 of the first period in the Islanders/Penguins game, Pittsburgh requested a Coach’s Challenge to review whether New York’s Alan Quine interfered with Pittsburgh goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury prior to Brock Nelson’s goal.
After reviewing all available replays and consulting with NHL Hockey Operations staff, the Referee determined that Quine interfered with Fleury before the puck crossed the goal line. According to Rule 78.7, “The standard for overturning the call in the event of a ‘GOAL’ call on the ice is that the Referee, after reviewing any and all available replays and consulting with the Toronto Video Room, determines that the goal should have been disallowed due to ‘Interference on the Goalkeeper,’ as described in Rules 69.1, 69.3 and 69.4.”
Therefore the original call is overturned – no goal New York Islanders.
Since the Coach’s Challenge resulted in the original call being overturned, the Pittsburgh Penguins retain their time-out.
While there’s no question that Quine made contact with Fleury, it appeared that he as guided into the goaltender by Pittsburgh’s Chad Ruhwedel. Quine, though, appeared to make no attempt to get out of the way.
When Quine brought his stick down, his arm clearly interfered with Fleury’s ability to move. It’s that last push that may have flipped the call, resulting in the overturned goal.
