Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid picked up a double-minor for high-sticking in overtime of Game 1 against the Dallas Stars after the officials huddled and confirmed the call via video review. 

Seventeen seconds into the extra session, McDavid was assessed a double-minor for high sticking after he caught Stars forward Matt Duchene in the face, drawing blood.  Duchene headed off for repairs; McDavid headed to the box. 

The two players were battling for position off the draw. Duchene appeared to hook McDavid’s stick. As the Oilers’ captain battled to free his stick, it came up and clipped the Dallas forward. 

Play continued, with the Oilers heading up ice and Evan Bouchard firing a shot on net that was stopped Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger. 

The officials huddled together afterwards to discuss the play.  At this point, the referees and linesmen are free to talk about what happened, with the linesmen reporting any incidents that should result in a double-minor, major, or match penalty.  

Rule 32.4.xii requires that the linesman report a missed high stick that causes injury: 

When it is apparent that an injury has resulted from a high-stick that has gone undetected by the Referees and requires the assessment of a double-minor penalty.

After one of the lineys relays that to a ref, they can change the call on the ice — which appears to be what happened here.  With a double-minor now called on the ice, the refs have the opportunity to use video review to confirm the call. 

A few minutes later, referee Eric Furlatt relayed the verdict: double-minor to McDavid. 

 

 

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do there,” McDavid said. “I’m going forward trying to play the puck [and] it feels like he’s holding my stick. I didn’t really feel the high stick at all. I think maybe even his face comes down on my stick. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do.”

It’s a legit call. There’s no question McDavid’s stick hits Duchene in the face, causing an injury. 

Note that the linesmen cannot report a minor penalty, like the possible hook by Duchene.  Nor can the refs call a minor penalty via video review.  Even if they saw it on the video — even if they felt it contributed to the high stick — they can’t tack on two for Duchene. 

The Oilers were able to kill off the four-minute penalty, holding the Stars to just three shots on goal.  That doesn’t mean it was easy. 

“Really, really long. Miserable,” McDavid said of his extended time in the box. “I hated every second of it, but the guys did an amazing job. The penalty kill has just been amazing and to step in there four minutes against a really good power play, you can’t give those guys enough credit.”

McDavid’s teammates bailed him out on the penalty kill.  One period later, he returned the favor, scoring the double-overtime game-winner to give the Oilers a 3-2 win, and a 1-0 series lead over the Stars in the Western Conference Final. 

 

Final score of Game 1 was 3-2 Edmonton Oilers over the Dallas Stars. Referees for the game were Kelly Sutherland (#11) and Eric Furlatt (#27), with linesmen Scott Cherrey (#50) and Ryan Gibbons (#58).