The Philadelphia Flyers saw their game-opening goal against the Washington Capitals disallowed after referee Kelly Sutherland lost sight of the puck and blew the whistle, only for it to end up in the net. 

Joel Farabee’s shot was stopped by Caps goaltender Charlie Lindgren.  While the puck popped up into the air, Lindgren appeared to have caught and held it with his gloves.  The whistle sounded.  A moment later, the puck — falling from the heavens — deflected off Farabee and into the net. 

 

 

The play was whistled dead.  To be fair, it looked like the other players on the ice also thought the puck was in Lindgren’s glove.  They all eased up on the play, gliding toward the goaltender.  Not one looked up, anticipating the puck re-entering the playing surface.

After a brief huddle between the officials, Sutherland and referee Eric Furlatt checked in with the NHL’s Situation Room.  A lengthy review ensued, with Sutherland relaying the verdict.

“The play is dead,” Sutherland announces. “The puck hits the Philadelphia player. It is not a continuous shot, therefore no goal.”

The ruling falls under 37.3, which allows for video review for: 

(i) Puck entering the net as the culmination of a continuous play where the result of the play was unaffected by any whistle blown by the Referee upon his losing sight of the puck; 

As Sutherland said, this was not a continuous play. The puck deflects off Farabee and in after the whistle.   Had the shot popped up into the air and right into the net – without hitting another player – it’s likely the play would have been deemed continuous and the goal allowed. 

Despite Flyers head coach John Tortorella’s protests, nothing could be done. This play is not eligible for a Coach’s Challenge.   The two teams played on, scoreless. 

Outside of this play, it was a quiet night for the officials, with only one penalty called. Washington’s Tom Wilson was whistled for tripping; the Flyers did not score on the man advantage. 

The Flyers lost to the Capitals 2-1.  Referees for the game were Kelly Sutherland (#11) and Eric Furlatt (#27), with linespersons Steve Barton (#59) and Scott Cherrey (#50).

Tortella avoided discussing the play after the game when asked about the explanation he received from the officals.

“Next question please.”