Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri nearly scored on a play at the net, as he was able to beat Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll… but not the whistle of referee Kevin Pollock.
With the Flames on the power play, trailing by one, Calgary’s Adam Ruzicka attempted to pass the puck across the top of the crease to Connor Zary. The pass deflected off the skate of Toronto defenseman Simon Benoit and into goaltender Joseph Woll, who was forced to make a stop. The puck fell to the ice in the blue paint, with players from both teams crashing the crease.
Referee Kevin Pollock blew the whistle to stop play right before Calgary’s Nadem Kadri pushed the puck over the goal line.
No goal on the play. Also, no review.
From Rule 78.5:
Apparent goals shall be disallowed by the Referee […] when the Referee deems the play has been stopped, even if he had not physically had the opportunity to stop play by blowing his whistle.
Also check out Rule 31.2:
As there is a human factor involved in blowing the whistle to stop play, the Referee may deem the play to be stopped slightly prior to the whistle actually being blown. The fact that the puck may come loose or cross the goal line prior to the sound of the whistle has no bearing if the Referee has ruled that the play had been stopped prior to this happening.
There’s nothing Calgary Flames head coch Ryan Huska could do aside from listen to the explanation from referee Chris Lee. The play is ineligible for review or Coach’s Challenge.
The Maple Leafs went on to win the game 5-4 in a shootout. Referees were Chris Lee (#28) and Kevin Pollock (#33) with linesmen Brandon Gawryletz (#64) and Ryan Galloway (#82).
