The Buffalo Sabres had their overtime game-winning goal overturned after the NHL’s Situation Room determined that the play was offside.
Defenseman Owen Power fired a shot past Edmonton netminder Stuart Skinner with two seconds remaining in the game, giving the Sabres their 30th win of the season.
Both benches emptied, the players heading to their respective locker rooms. The only skaters on the ice were the Sabres’ mascot, celebrating the victory, and the officials. Linesmen Ryan Gibbons and Jonny Murray were on the headsets with the league’s review crew, discussing the zone entry that led to the overtime winner by defenseman Owen Power.
As with every goal scored in overtime or in the final minute of regulation, the Toronto-based Situation Room reviewed the legality of the goal, including anything eligible for a Coach’s Challenge, like offside, goaltender interference, or a missed stoppage.
Video review caught a problem missed by the on-ice officials. As newly-acquired Buffalo blueliner Bowen Byram carried the puck into the zone, Sabres forward Alex Tuch crossed the blue line ahead of the puck — 19 seconds prior to the goal being scored.
The play was offside. The goal wouldn’t count.
Referee Gord Dwyer, in his first game back from injured reserve, had to break the news to the 19,070 in attendance.
Slowly, the two teams returned to the benches. The clock was reset to show 21 seconds remaining in the overtime period.
Six minutes and 26 seconds after the Sabres thought they’d won the game, linesman Jonny Murray dropped the puck, and the game resumed.
Ultimately, Tuch would atone for his mis-step. The winger scored the game-winning goal in the shootout to regain the Sabres’ win.
The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in the shootout. Referees for the game were Gord Dwyer (#19) and Peter MacDougall (#38), with linesmen Ryan Gibbons (#58) and Jonny Murray (#95).
