That was a goal. At least, it should’ve been.
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jake Walman toe-picked on the goal line, crashing into his net and knocking it off the moorings just prior to a shot on goal from Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner.
While the net displacement was clearly unintentional – and therefore not a penalty – a goal can still be awarded on the play. Check out Rule 63.7:
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.
Let’s go through those requirements:
- The goal post must have been displaced by the actions of a defending player
Clearly, Walman was responsible for the net being dislodged on the play.
- The attacking player must have an imminent scoring opportunity prior to the goal post being displaced
The rule previously required the player to have already shot the puck or be in the act of shooting. That was updated a few years back to allow for an immediate scoring chance, which this clearly was.
- It must be determined that the puck would have entered the net between the normal position of the goal posts
It sure looks like it would have… Let’s break this one down.
Marner’s shot goes through the blue paint. We did a frame-by-frame breakdown of the overhead shot to map the trajectory of the puck on the play. The photo is from the moment Walman contacted the post. The orange line shows the puck at two separate points from later images – the darker spots within the orange line.
That’s clearly between the goalposts.
It seems, though, that the NHL did not agree. From the League’s Situation Room:
There was no conclusive evidence to confirm the puck crossed the goal line between the normal position of the goal posts, therefore, the call on the ice stands.
The decision was made in accordance to Rule 63.7: “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 goal posts, 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.”
The only way that would’ve stayed out, is if it hits Walman — the same guy that knocked the net off in the first place.
While its trajectory looked to have the puck going in to the regular position of the goal frame, Walman himself may have prevented the puck from crossing the line between the posts.
At the very least, he prevented the Situation Room from getting a clear look at whether it did.
No goal Leafs.
Referees for the game were Kyle Rehman (#10) and Kendrick Nicholson (#30), with linesmen Shandor Alphonso (#52) and Ryan Daisy (#81).
