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.