The Tampa Bay Lightning scored their go-ahead goal at even strength. Well… officially.
One the ice, though, the Bolts’ skaters outnumbered the Isles’ 7 to 5. No whistle. No penalty. Good goal.
New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz was frustrated after the Lightning scored the go-ahead goal with too many men on the ice.
“Obviously you guys know there was too many men on the ice there,” Trotz said. “They had seven guys. Disappointed in that. But we tried to battle through.”
The goal could not be challenged as a result of the missed call. While the league does allow teams to challenge for offside plays, goaltender interference, or missed stoppages in the offensive zone, too-many-men is not included in the eligible reasons for a stoppage.
No second look; no review. The goal stood.
“The second goal hurt quite a bit,” said Trotz. “If they get the third one, there’s a little bit more separation.”
They did get the third one. And a fourth.
“It was missed,” Islanders forward Matt Martin said. “That’s hockey. It happens. Nothing we can do about it. Move on.”
New York hopes to do just that: move on from the goal, and move on from their Game 2 loss. The series shifts to Long Island for Game 3.
