The Calgary Flames came away with one point on Thursday night, but some in Calgary believe they were robbed of a chance at two.
St. Louis Blues defenceman Colton Parayko appeared to give his team a 4-3 overtime win when he jammed a rebound by Flames netminder Dan Vladar. However, the Blues’ celebration was put on hold when the referees announced a situation room initiated review for goaltender interference.
The Flames believed that Parayko was only able to score the goal because he pushed Vladar’s pad with his stick.
But after a lengthy review, the call on the ice was upheld and the Blues walked away victorious.
The NHL said in a statement that video review determined that “no goaltender interference infractions occurred as Parayko made a play on a loose puck in the crease prior to his goal.”
Rule 69.7 of the NHL rule book states that “in a rebound situation, or where a goalkeeper and attacking player(s) are simultaneously attempting to play a loose puck, whether inside or outside the crease, incidental contact will be permitted, and any goal that is scored as a result thereof will be allowed.”
“I hope I touched the puck,” Parayko said to Sportsnet’s Ryan Leslie after the game when asked about the play.
Despite the final ruling, Flames defenceman MacKenzie Weegar said he saw the play a little differently.
“I don’t think the puck goes in unless (Parayko) pushes the pad,” Weegar said after the game. “I thought it was pretty clear.”
Flames head coach Ryan Huska also disagreed with the call, but was more upset by the fact that he got no explanation from the referees after the call was upheld.
“The referees didn’t come over and explain it, they just skate themselves right off the ice,” Husak said post-game. “That’s to me, the part that bothers me a little bit… the way I see it, (Vladar) probably would’ve kept it out if his pad wasn’t pushed in. But that’s the way it is.”
Meanwhile, Vladar, who appeared heated on the ice after the goal was upheld, said he needed more time to analyze the play but that he also respected the final decision.
“Obviously I respect the call,” Vladar said. “It is what it is.”
