“I been in the right place, but it must have been the wrong time,” sang Dr. John.
Linesman Ryan Galloway found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time on Thursday night.
The veteran official was caught deep in the zone after Columbus won an offensive zone draw. He got tangled up with Nashville’s Matt Benning and Eric Robinson of the Blue Jackets, both battling for position as they headed to the net. Galloway was trapped between their sticks, still in the faceoff circle when Max Domi fired a shot from the boards.
The puck eluded Preds goaltender Juuse Saros, who was screened by the official.
Galloway may have obscured the netminder’s view, but he didn’t make contact with the puck. If he had, the goal would have been waved off.
78.5 Disallowed Goals – Apparent goals shall be disallowed by the Referee … (iii.) when the puck has deflected directly into the net off an official.
Video review confirmed no contact occurred between the puck and the linesman.
Columbus won the game 3-0. Referees were Garrett Rank and Justin St. Pierre. Linesmen were Galloway and Jesse Marquis.