Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko was awarded the game-tying goal after he scored on a net dislodged by Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault.
Marchenko’s marker came with two minutes remaining in Saturday’s game in Montreal. Montembeault bumped the goalpost, knocking it off its moorings just prior to the puck crossing the line.
The goal was initially waved off by referee Brandon Schrader. The NHL’s Situation Room, though, wanted a second look.
After review, Marchenko was awarded the goal. While the net was clearly displaced, it was the goaltender’s fault. It also happened on a play where there was an imminent scoring chance, which means it’s a good goal.
From the Situation Room:
Video Review determined that Montreal goaltender Sam Montembeault caused the net to be displaced from its moorings prior to the puck crossing the goal line. Therefore, the Referees awarded Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko a goal.
The decision was made in accordance with Rule 63.7, which states, in part, that “In the event that the goal post is displaced, either deliberately or accidentally, by a defending player, prior to the puck crossing the goal line between the normal position of the goalposts, the Referee may award a goal. In order to award a goal in this situation, the goal post must have been displaced by the actions of a defending player, the attacking player must have an imminent scoring opportunity prior to the goal post being displaced, and it must be determined that the puck would have entered the net between the normal position of the goal posts.”
Adding to the confusion was the fact that the referee’s explanation on the ice didn’t line up with the actual reason for the goal. He explained that the puck crossed the line before the net was knocked off, which clearly wasn’t the case.
The good news is that, even if the explanation was off, the right call was made. Good goal, Columbus.
Marchenko’s goal tied the game at 2-2. Unfortunately, it was all downhill for Columbus from there. The Montreal Canadiens scored six unanswered goals to win 8-2. Referees for the game were Garrett Rank (#7) and Brandon Schrader (#46), with linesmen Devin Berg (#87) and Dan Kelly (#98).
