Nashville Predators forward Michael McCarron has been fined $2,000 for goaltender interference against Casey DeSmith of the Vancouver Canucks.
The collision came with 7:35 remaining in the first period of Friday’s Game 3 in their opening round playoff series. McCarron ran over DeSmith as the netminder played the puck behind the net. McCarron was given a minor penalty for goaltender inteference on the play.
“It’s a tough penalty,” said McCarron. “[I was] trying to go stick-on-puck. Obviously not trying to hit the goalie, but that’s what ended up happening. It wasn’t like I lost my cool or anything, [it was] just an unfortunate play. It stung, them scoring on the [resulting] power play. Gotta shake it off.”
Goaltender interference is covered until Rule 69:
In all cases in which an attacking player initiates intentional or deliberate contact with a goalkeeper, whether or not the goalkeeper is inside or outside the goal crease, and whether or not a goal is scored, the attacking player will receive a penalty (minor or major, as the Referee deems appropriate)…
A goalkeeper is not “fair game” just because he is outside the goal crease. The appropriate penalty should be assessed in every case where an attacking player makes unnecessary contact with the goalkeeper. However, incidental contact will be permitted when the goalkeeper is in the act of playing the puck outside his goal crease provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such unnecessary contact.
It’s clear the officials – and the league – felt that McCarron didn’t do enough to try to avoid or minimize his contact with the goaltender.
This is the first supplemental discipline handed out by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety this postseason.
The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Nashville Predators 2-1. Referees for the game were Jon McIsaac (#2) and Francois St. Laurent (#8), with linespersons Trent Knorr (#74) and Mark Shewchyk (#92).
