Thursday night’s game between the Calgary Flames and the Toronto Maple Leafs had a bit of everything.
Shortly after a lengthy review awarded the Flames a goal to cut the Maple Leafs’ lead down to 4-3, a brilliant coach’s challenge by Toronto wiped away the tying goal.
Midway through the third period, Flames rookie Connor Zary appeared to tie the game with a tremendous individual effort. However, after a Maple Leafs timeout, they decided to challenge the goal for a missed stoppage.
After another lengthy review, officials determined that Flames forward Blake Coleman “directed the puck to Jordan Oesterle with a hand pass.”
The decision was made in accordance with rule 79.1 which states “A player shall be permitted to stop or ‘bat’ a puck in the air with his open hand, or push it along the ice with his hand, and the play shall not be stopped unless, in the opinion of the on-ice officials, he has directed the puck to a teammate.”
It was another extremely close call, and Maple Leafs fans took to social media to praise their coaching staff for challenging the goal and preserving the lead in what would eventually turn into a 4-3 win for Toronto.
Here are some of the best reactions from Thursday night.
