New York Rangers captain J.T. Miller saw his power play goal wiped out after the Columbus Blue Jackets challenged for goaltender interference.
Winger Alexis Lafreniere cut through the crease of goaltender Elvis Merzlikins prior to the shot. The Blueshirts forward appeared to make minimal contact with the goaltender’s mask as well as skate-on-skate contact in the blue paint.
After review, the league decided the contact was enough to overturn the goal.
Officially, the Situation Room cited the head contact on the play as the interfering contact:
Video review determined New York’s Alexis Lafreniere made contact with the head of Elvis Merzlikins in the crease, which impaired his ability to play his position prior to J.T. Miller’s goal.
The decision was made in accordance with Rule 69.1 which states, in part, “Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal.”
The skate contact looked to be more impactful than the helmet bump, though either would potentially be enough to wave off the goal under Rule 69.3:
If an attacking player initiates contact with a goalkeeper, incidental or otherwise, while the goalkeeper is in his goal crease, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.
It wasn’t much, but it was enough.
The Columbus Blue Jackets scored shorthanded moments later to take a 3-0 lead. While the Rangers battled back to force overtime, they ultimately fell to the Jackets 5-4 in the extra session.
Columbus has gone 3-3 (50%) in Coach’s Challenges this season. They’re 2-2 on goaltender interference calls; 1-1 under Rick Bowness.
Officials for the game were referees Wes McCauley (#4) and Morgan MacPhee (#43) with Tommy Hughes (#65) and Matt MacPherson (#83) on lines.
