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Ref Memories

    I was watching the Winnipeg Jets game against the Colorado Avalanche the other night when there was interference on the Winnipeg goalie. After review, the official determined it was a good goal. This reminded me of a time when I faced a similar action, but with no replay. I signalled a good goal and, of course, the team scored on was not happy, especially the goalie. He said he was pushed into the net and was not able to stop the puck. I said I would ask my linemen and see what they saw. After conferring with my linesmen, they both agreed that he had been pushed into the net, so I waved off the goal. Oddly enough the team that had scored did not say anything at all. 

    The National Hockey League Goaltender Interference rule states that the goals will be disallowed if an attacking player, through positioning or contact, impairs the goalie's ability to defend their goal or move freely within the crease.

    It covers intentionally, unintentionally, and incidental contact, generally protecting the goalie in the crease. The key aspects of rule 69. 

    Crease protection- Goals are usually overturned if an attacking player makes contact with a goalie in the crease, accidental or otherwise.

    Intentional contact- Any intentional contact occurs outside the crease or inside the crease results in a disallowed goal and potentially a penalty.

    Incidental contact- if contact occurs outside the crease. The goal may count if the attacker was making a reasonable effort to avoid contact.

    Defending action- If an attacker is pushed or fouled by a defender into the goalie, it is usually not considered interference.

    Incidental Position- Being in the crease does not automatically negate a goal, contact that hinders a goalie must occur.

    The overriding rationale of the rule is that a goaltender should have the ability to move freely in his goal crease without being hindered by the actions of an attacking player. If the attacking player enters the goal crease and by his actions, impairs the goaltender’s ability to defend his goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

    Nathan MacKinnon scored a goal against the Winnipeg Jets that the Jets wanted it reviewed for goalie interference. The goal was called a good goal by the official. Any interference call is the toughest because who interfered. 

    On the play, Nathan MacKinnon touched the puck with his stick before it got to the Winnipeg goalie. It looked like MacKinnon's stick then hit the Winnipeg goalie's glove, but did it?  To the naked eye it looked like it did. Unless the official had been right on top of the goal crease he would not know for sure if there was interference and replay would not show it. Kinda one of those things that happen, and depending on who you are cheering for whether it is right or wrong. 

    The National Hockey league is so inconsistent with this call, even with review. Maybe they need to go back to the old ringette crease to make it more clear!

    Watch the playoffs which begin around the middle of April, there will be lots of controversy!