Linesman Brandon Gawryletz was just trying to get out of the way. Instead, he inadvertently set up a goal from Blackhawks center David Kampf.
The official jumped up on the boards in front of the Lightning bench to avoid a dump-in by Chicago defenseman Jan Rutta.
The puck clipped Gawryletz’s skate and deflected into the slot, right to the Blackhawks’ David Kampf. The Chicago center fired a quick shot at the net, beating goaltender Louis Domingue high on the glove side.
While a goal can’t be scored if the puck deflects directly off an official and into the net, the puck is still in play after hitting a referee or linesman.
Domingue was furious after the play. Despite still holding a three-goal lead, the incensed netminder showed his frustration by smashing his stick across the goalpost. The twig snapped, with the blade flying dangerously close to referee Wes McCauley, who assessed a minor to Domingue for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The Lightning went on to win the game 6-3.
