The Tampa Bay Lightning nearly reclaimed their two-goal lead in Game 2. Until, that is, the Dallas Stars challenged that the play was offside.
Tampa’s Mikhail Sergachev scored to put the Bolts back up 4-2 with 9:14 to play in the third period of Sunday’s Stanley Cup Final game. Dallas head coach Rick Bowness issued a coach’s challenge on the play.
The zone entry, 11 seconds prior, saw Blake Coleman carrying the puck forward. As he approached the blueline, he passed the puck back to Patrick Maroon, putting himself slightly ahead of the play. Coleman’s skates both entered the offensive zone prior to the puck crossing the line.
It was a quick review followed by a quick announcement from referee Kelly Sutherland.
“After a Coach’s Challenge, it was determined the play was offside,” announced Sutherland. “Therefore there is no goal.”
From the NHL:
Video review determined Blake Coleman was off-side prior to Mikhail Sergachev’s goal. According to Rule 38.9, “The standard for overturning the call in the event of a “GOAL” call on the ice is that the NHL Situation Room, after reviewing any and all available replays and consulting with the On-Ice Official(s), determines that one or more Players on the attacking team preceded the puck into the attacking zone prior to the goal being scored and that, as a result, the play should have been stopped for an “Off-Side” infraction; where this standard is met, the goal will be disallowed.”
Clock is reset to show 10:57 (9:03 elapsed time), when the off-side infraction occurred.
The Stars are now 2-for-2 on offside Coach’s Challenges this postseason, and 1-for-2 on goaltender interference.
Fun fact: Tampa’s Carter Verhaeghe has been on the ice for the last three video reviews — two Coach’s Challenges and one puck tipped in by a nearly-high stick.
