The Goal That Wasn't in New Jersey
The “lost goal” during game two of the Ottawa-New Jersey series has, predictably, caused a bit of a frenzy.
In case you missed it, Jay Pandolfo of the Devils scored a goal late in the first period that should have given New Jersey a 2-0 lead. But the puck caromed in and out of the net so quickly that no one saw it. Fans behind the net jumped to their feet and Jamie Langenbrunner raised his stick in celebration. But when the referee blew his whistle and pointed to the faceoff dot in the Senators’ zone, validating everyone’s suspicions that it was a great save, neither the Devils nor their fans put up any real protest.
By the time video replay officials found an angle confirming that a goal has been scored (the in- net camera told the tale), the game had resumed. The video review rules states “No goal may be awarded (or disallowed) as the result of Video Review once the puck has been dropped and play has resumed following the first stoppage of play after the potential goal.” So the Devils were out of luck.
As it turned out, New Jersey won the game 1-0. But it’s the principle of the thing, right?
Somebody should be “held accountable,” fumed Devils’ coach Pat Burns. (Well, what would you expect him to say?)
“That’s not a mistake, that’s negligence,” huffed Jim Kelley of Foxsports.com.
We all know that mounting the high horse of righteousness is one of the things coaches and columnists do best. But let’s consider a few extenuating circumstances.
- Nobody knew this was in. Absolutely nobody. There were a few eyebrows raised, but not the slightest protest until everyone saw the replay several minutes later. If Burns wants someone held accountable, maybe it should be his players. They could have celebrated more convincingly and protested the ruling, persuading the referees to “go upstairs” for confirmation from the video booth. At the very least, they might have delayed the resumption of play long enough for the video guys to call down.
- The net is supposed to have padding along the inside of its base to cushion the puck. In this case, the padding did not reach all the way around. Langenbrunner’s shot bounced back out so quickly because it hit iron. You know those maintenance guys who work at every rink, the guys in the droopy overalls? If Burn’s wants someone held accountable he’ll have to fire one of them.
- What do you want, for the referees to hold up the game until the video review booth has checked every close call from every possible angle? How long before we all start grumbling about the tedium of that system?
- The NHL introduced the “hurry-up” faceoff this season, with the intention of resuming play as quickly as possible after a whistle. Although it can sometimes still take 30 or 40 seconds, the quicker faceoffs have been universally applauded. But every new wrinkle in the game will have unintended consequences at some point.
- Do people actually believe that perfect, mistake-free officiating is an ideal that can be achieved? That all the NHL has to do is make enough rules, install enough cameras, fill the ice with enough officials and appoint enough committees and supervisors to watch their every move and scrutinize every moment? It’s sports. Blown calls happen. They always will. That's life.
More on the Stanley Cup Conference Finals:
Jiggy's Place in Stanley Cup History
Getting What You Paid For?
More Stanley Cup Notes:
Hockey Experts on the Loose Again!
Upsets and Abuse in the Opening Round
