The Colorado Avalanche saw their Game 7 game-tying goal wiped out after the Seattle Kraken challenged for offside.
The Avs’ Nathan MacKinnon fired a one-timer past Seattle goaltender Philipp Grubauer that appeared to tie the game just 2:36 into the third period. The Seattle Kraken challenged the play, spotting Colorado winger Artturi Lehkonen entering the zone ahead of the puck, seventeen seconds prior to the goal being scored.
It was a quick goal and an equally quick review before referee Chris Rooney delivered the verdict.
“The play was offside,” announced Rooney, to the 18,143 in attendance. “No goal.”
This was the second goal overturned by Coach’s Challenge in the series, with the Kraken having also successfully contested a Colorado goal in Game 6.
All-time, the Kraken are 9-for-12 on Coach’s Challenges, though a perfect 6-for-6 on missed offside plays.
The Avs are no stranger to offside reviews. They had a controversial – but correct – goal upheld after an offside challenge in last year’s playoffs on a Cale Makar zone entry against the Edmonton Oilers.
Of course, the Avs are partially responsible for the the fact that offside challenges even exist in the first place, thanks to Matt Duchene. (For the record, there was no question he entered the zone ahead of the puck; the linesman reportedly though that the Predators had played the puck into the defensive end, which would negate the offside under Rule 83.2 )
The Seattle Kraken won the game 2-1, defeating the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche four games to three in their opening round, best-of-seven series.
Officials for the game were referees Chris Rooney (#5) and Graham Skilliter (#24), with linesmen Devin Berg (#87) and Michel Cormier (#76).
