The New Jersey Devils had a third-period goal disallowed against the San Jose Sharks after the referee intended to blow the play dead.

The Devils nearly cut the Sharks’ lead to one during a goalmouth scramble with 11:29 remaining. New Jersey’s Curtis Lazar carried the puck toward the net, attempting to tuck the puck in as he cut across the crease.  As players from both clubs crowded the blue paint, the Devils’ Nico Hischier jabbed at the puck.

Referee Jon McIsaac blew his whistle, signaling ‘no goal’ on the play.  The league’s Situation Room reviewed the play to determine if the puck crossed the line.

There’s no question that the puck ended up over the line. The issue was how… and when. 

 

‘Intent to Blow’ is covered in 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.

Once McIsaac informed the Situation Room that he intended to blow the play dead, the review was moot.  ‘Intent to Blow’ is not reviewable.  

The reason this was not deemed a ‘continuous play’ – like the goal Jack Hughes scored against the Rangers – is because of what went on after the ref deemed the play stopped.  

McIsaac skated in with San Jose goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen down in the crease, his legs along the goal line. As the referee moves the whistle toward his mouth, Hischier jabs at the goaltender’s pads, pushing the puck in. It’s clear that McIsaac determined the puck covered – and the play dead – prior to Hischier’s actions. 

It’s no goal – and it’s the right call.  Even if the puck was loose at the time, it’s up to the referee on when to blow the whistle… and the key is when he intends to, not necessarily when he actually does.

 

The San Jose Sharks won the game 6-4. Referees were Jon McIsaac (#2) and Justin Kea (#44), with linesmen Mark Shewchyk (#92) and Devin Berg (#87).