Dallas Stars goaltender Anton Khudobin had to make an unplanned equipment change after his stick tape was found to be illegal.
While players are allowed to use any color stick tape they want, goaltenders are a bit more restricted — at least when it comes to the knob.
NHL Rule 10.2 covers goalie sticks.
In the case of a goalkeeper’s stick, there shall be a knob of white tape or some other protective material approved by the League. This knob must not be less than one-half inch (1/2”) thick at the top of the shaft.
Failure to comply with this provision of the rule will result in the goalkeeper’s stick being deemed unfit for play. The goalkeeper’s stick must be changed without the application of a minor penalty.
Flames players reportedly notified the officials of Khudobin’s violation, prompting a tape change for the Dallas netminder.
Somehow, Khudobin was allowed to make only a minor modification, with a band of white on the knob.
Here’s how his stick appeared in Game 2, with green tape all the way up the knob.
When Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen was found in violation during a regular season game a few years back, the linesman assisted with a complete re-tape. Same for Edmonton Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens, back in 2014.
Another equipment violation for the Leafs, but this time the officials just make Andersen cover up his blue-coloured grip tape pic.twitter.com/gntTWyklI4
— InGoal Magazine (@InGoalMedia) October 5, 2017
In any case, the bit of gamesmanship from Calgary didn’t seem to rattle Khudobin. He backstopped Dallas to a 5-4 overtime win.
