Today In NHL History - Sedin's Disallowed Goal

On April 19th in 2010, Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin deflected a puck off his skate and past Los Angeles Kings netminder Jonathan Quick in Game 3 of the opening round of the 2010 playoffs, pulling his team within a goal three minutes into the third period.

Ruled a good goal by on-ice referee Steve Kozari, NHL SVP Mike Murphy and the off-ice video review crew overturned the ruling after a lengthy six minute review, causing CBC's Hockey Night In Canada broadcaster Jim Hughson to remark "Wow, that is a most interesting call".

NHL Rule 78.5(ii) states a goal shall be disallowed "when the puck has been kicked using a distinct kicking motion." A "distinct kicking motion" is defined by Rule 38.4(iv) as "one which, with a pendulum motion, the player propels the puck with his skate into the net." Rule 49.2 clarifies, however, that "a puck that deflects into the net off an attacking player’s skate who does not use a distinct kicking motion is a legitimate goal".

Absent evidence of a "distinct kicking motion", Murphy was invited to speak with Ron Maclean on HNIC and share the reasoning behind his decision to overturn the on-ice ruling and disallow Sedin's goal.

The interview appeared to further confuse an already perplexed panel.

Maclean: Tell us exactly how you came to your conclusion.

Murphy: ... It [the puck] had to be propelled some way. We felt it was the skate and not a distinct kicking motion but with a kicking motion that made it move back the other way. It wasn't a deflection. It wasn't a redirect. It was a kick. So that's the decision we came up with.

Maclean: If he's just making a stop ... and it [the puck] hits his skate and changes direction, is that a kicking motion?

Murphy: No ... We'll let that stand as a goal. We felt that wasn't the case here. He knew what he was doing.

When questioned the next day as to how Murphy could have known that Sedin "knew what he was doing", Commissioner Bettman deflected the question and controversy, electing instead to defend his staff:

"Mike Murphy was trying to explain at one o'clock in the morning as best he could exactly what was going on. And if he wasn't as articulate as perhaps those looking to parse his words would like, so be it. But as I said, I have complete confidence in Mike Murphy, Colie Campbell, and the entire hockey operations department. I think this whole tact of innuendo and insinuation is both insulting and pure fantasy. And I suggest everyone move on and focus on the fact we are having a dynamic playoffs."

Interestingly, a near identical goal was scored by the same player three months earlier. After video review, that goal was allowed to stand.

Clouding the waters of incompetence with conspiracy, allegations of partiality surfaced as an interview from earlier that season between LAKings.com and the club's former player (10yrs), captain (7yrs), and coach (4yrs) turned NHL SVP revealed Murphy's bias towards the team.

LAKings.com: You were with the Kings from early on in the team’s existence – how have you seen the team change in the time since then?

Murphy: Well I have seen some obvious changes with the colors of the uniforms and the logo and the different arena where they play. What has not changed is the great group of solid hockey fans in Southern California that support and love the Kings, even with the changes. I think it would be so neat to see the Kings succeed and win a Stanley Cup because it would do just a tremendous amount for the Southern California market and the Kings franchise. They have been hard working and very close in a number of years, so that would be nice to see.

The disallowed goal preserved the Kings 4-2 lead en route to a 5-3 win, taking a 2-1 series lead over the Canucks. The win, however, would be the last for Los Angeles as Vancouver ultimately cinched the series 4-2.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Getzlaf Gloves Flames Goal

On March 30th in 2011, Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf tricked referee Gord Dwyer and the off-ice video review crew when he grabbed a puck that had clearly crossed the goal line and was resting on netminder Ray Emery's arm, and inconspicuously placed it in the crease after the whistle preventing Calgary's tying goal.

For his encore, Getzlaf denied allegations relating to his suspect role in the incident during a second period intermission television interview.

Needless to say, the Flames were none too pleased with the officials' oversight and didn't hesitate to share their thoughts after the game.

The controversial call crushed Calgary's playoff hopes as Anaheim scored shortly thereafter and eventually won by a score of 4-2, preventing the Flames from pulling within a point of the final playoff spot with four games to play. Calgary ultimately missed the playoffs by three points.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Weber Shoots Through Net

On February 23rd in 2010, Nashville Predators blueliner Shea Weber suited up for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics and blasted a slapshot past San Jose Sharks German goaltender Thomas Greiss that tore through the net.
When questioned whether Weber had ever witnessed a puck go through the net, the deadpanned defenseman remarked, "Yeah, I do it every day". Canada beat Germany that night by a score of 8-2, eliminating them from the 2010 Winter Olympics men's ice hockey tournament.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Martin Hanzal's No Goal

On January 20th in 2011, Phoenix Coyotes 6'5" forward Martin Hanzal used his stick to strike a puck floating at face level of 6'3" defenseman Matt Greene into the Los Angeles Kings net, violating Rule 78.5(vi).
Incorrectly ruled a goal by on-ice official Justin St. Pierre, NHL SVP of hockey operations Mike Murphy upheld the absurd call after a lengthy video review claiming there was no conclusive evidence to support the notion that Hanzal's contact was made above the 4 foot crossbar.

Adding to Hanzal's surprise ("I thought it was going to be a high stick") and coach Terry Murray's confusion ("It makes no sense, I don't know why we have video replay in the NHL") with the officiating, Kings GM Dean Lombardi attacked Murphy for the irresponsible call, claiming:

"When the guy in Toronto making the decisions on the goals, in Ottawa and the one tonight, wanted the G.M.'s job in L.A. and was not happy about not getting it, you have to assume you are going to get those type of calls."

Despite an apology to Murphy the next morning, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman fined Lombardi $50,000 for the outburst, noting:

"There is no acceptable explanation or excuse for commentary challenging the integrity of the League's Hockey Operations Department in general or Mike Murphy, in particular. People can disagree with a call by an official on the ice or an official in the Situation Room in Toronto, but even in instances of the utmost frustration there is no justification for speaking as inappropriately and irresponsibly as Mr. Lombardi did. Mike Murphy is a devoted caretaker of the game. His commitment to the National Hockey League, all 30 of its Clubs -- and to the game -- is beyond challenge, question or debate."

The Coyotes added another goal to beat the Kings by a score of 2-0.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Ott's Shootout No Goal

On January 16th in 2010, Dallas Stars forward Steve Ott was stopped on his first ever shootout attempt by Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard. Despite an emphatic no goal call by perfectly positioned referee Rob Martell, the ruling was reversed by the NHL on video review.

Appalled by the call, Red Wings coach Mike Babcock exclaimed "The video replay showed the puck didn't go in the net, I thought that's why we had video replay". Dallas beat Detroit that night by a score of 3-2 on the strength of the NHL's video review blunder in shootout's 6th round.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - FSN Hides Video Replay

On January 7th in 2010, FSN Pittsburgh producer Lowell MacDonald Jr. withheld a definitive replay from the NHL during a late second period Simon Gagne goal review. Absent the authoritative angle officials deemed the video evidence inconclusive and ruled no goal.

After play resumed, prohibiting a reversal of the incorrect call, the angle was aired making clear that the Philadelphia Flyers should be up 6-3 instead of 5-3.Upon viewing the conclusive video evidence FSN commentators joked "oh, we saved that one", which is precisely what happened.

FSN Pittsburgh accepted full responsibility for the incident, noting "there is nothing more important than the integrity of the game" and "FSN Pittsburgh's failure to provide video to the league officials in a timely fashion was wholly unacceptable."

MacDonald was slapped with an indefinite suspension by his employer, though was reinstated a mere nine months later in time for the 2010-2011 season. Philadelphia beat Pittsburgh that night by a score of 7-4.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Puck Hits Camera

On November 21st in 2022, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson's clearing attempt took an unexpected bounce off a camera protruding from the photographer's hole, dislodging the lens hood onto the ice.

While some skaters were distracted by the rolling lens hood, the puck landed on Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel's stick which led to a Mark Stone goal 12 seconds later, giving the visitors a one goal lead.

Canucks coach Bruce Boudreau challenged the goal, noting the play should have been whistled dead when the puck struck the camera. After a two minute review, the referees agreed with Gabby and disallowed the goal, relying on 'Rule 85.1 Puck Out of Bounds' which states:

"When a puck goes outside the playing area at either end or either side of the rink, strikes any obstacles above the playing surface other than the boards or glass, causes the glass, lighting, timing device or the supports to break, it shall be faced-off at the nearest face-off spot in the zone from where it was shot or deflected out of play."

Four minutes later, Mark Stone setup Alex Pietrangelo who buried what ended up being the game winner, as Vegas defeated the Canucks 5-4.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - Clark Shoots Through Net

On November 18th in 2010, Tampa Bay Lightning blueliner Brett Clark fired a slapshot past Philadelphia Flyers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky and through the back of net, narrowing the Flyers lead to 5-4 in a wild first period of play.

Better known for blocking shots than scoring goals, the blast marked Brett's first time scoring in consecutive regular season starts. Tampa Bay came back to beat Philadelphia that night by a score of 8-7.

That's today in NHL history.