The Calgary Flames took advantage of a lucky bounce off an official to score a goal against the Buffalo Sabres.
Calgary’s Trevor Lewis dumped the puck into the Buffalo zone, firing it on goal from outside the blueline. Goaltender Eric Comrie kicked the puck away, but instead of going to the far boards, it hit referee Trevor Hanson.
Hanson attempted to get out of the way, leaving the puck nearly stationary within the faceoff circle. Flames center Jonathan Huberdeau swooped in to retrieve it, sending it across the slot to Lewis, who scored on the play.
Remember, the officials are in play. The whistle doesn’t blow when a referee or linesman gets hit by the puck. The exception is that a goal cannot be scored on a puck that deflects directly off an official. From Rule 85.4:
If a goal is scored as a result of being deflected directly into the net off an official, the goal shall not be allowed.
Referee Trevor Hanson was not credited with an assist on the play.
The goal from Lewis cut the score to 4-2, but Calgary was unable to complete the comeback, falling to Buffalo 6-3.
Officials for the game were referee Trevor Hanson (#14) and Gord Dwyer (#19); linesmen were Mitchell Hunt (#62) and Bevan Mills (#53).
