The New Jersey Devils had a chance to tie the game on a penalty shot awarded in the closing seconds after Anaheim Ducks winger Frank Vatrano intentionally dislodged the net.
With the Devils pressing for the tying goal, Vatrano skated into the crease and shoved the crossbar, knocking the net off its pegs.
Referee Frederick L’Ecuyer blew the play dead and awarded a penalty shot. Intentionally dislodging the net is one of the few penalties that results in a penalty shot if it happes in the final two minutes of the game or at any point in overtime. Here’s Rule 63.6:
If by reason of insufficient time in the regular playing time or by reason of penalties already imposed, the minor penalty assessed to a player for deliberately displacing his own goal post cannot be served in its entirety within the regular playing time of the game or at any time in overtime, a penalty shot shall be awarded against the offending team.
“I knew I was gonna get caught,” Vatrano admitted after the game. “When I last looked at the clock it was kinda late… By the time I pushed the net off, the puck was already behind the net. It’s one of those reactionary plays.”
(As far as the Anaheim Ducks broadcast team asking why the whistle didn’t blow when goaltender Lukas Dostal lost his helmet: First, his helmet didn’t come off until the net was already displaced. Second, it’s not an immediate whistle if the goaltender loses his mask; play continues if the attacking team has an immediate scoring chance — which the Devils did. Third, Dostal removed his mask himself, which would result in a minor penalty.
New Jersey’s Jack Hughes was unable to score on the penalty shot, losing the puck after Dostal forced him wide.
“Just not a good play by me,” said Hughes.
The Anaheim Ducks hung on to defeat the New Jersey Devils 3-2. Referees for the game were Frederick L’Ecuyer (#17) and Graham Skilliter (#24) with linesmen Kiel Murchison (#79) and Caleb Apperson (#77).
