Linesman Libor Suchanek nearly picked up an assist on Wednesday night.
The rookie official, working Game 5 between the St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks, has been having a solid playoffs thus far with good calls and great positioning.
Unfortunately, an errant shot by the Blues put him in a tricky spot, nearly setting up a goal.
Suchanek gave up the boards for a dump-in, moving away to allow St. Louis defenseman Alex Pietrangelo a clear lane for the puck.
Pietrangelo fired it directly at the official.
The linesman put up his arms to block the puck, deflecting it right to the slot for a great scoring chance by Jacob de la Rose.
Lucky for the Canucks – and the linesman – goalie Jacob Markstrom came up with an equally great save.
Remember, officials are in play, provided the puck doesn’t go directly into the net. From Rule 78.5:
Apparent goals shall be disallowed by the Referee […] when the puck has deflected directly into the net off an official.
Vancouver went on to win the game 3-2.
