Brutal call screws Red Wings, Time for NHL to change rule

November 19, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

By now, the hockey world knows what happened last night at Hockey Town between the Stars and Red Wings. If you saw it, then indeed you know how brutal it really was. Of course, we’re referring to one of the worst calls of all-time going against Detroit in a 3-1 home loss to Dallas.

It took place in the third period. With Mike Babcock’s club trailing 2-1, veteran enforcer Brad May sent a turn around backhand from the slot towards Star backup Alex Auld which he looked to have covered, resulting in a stoppage. But before you knew it, the Wings started celebrating because they saw what ref tandem Stephane Auger and Dennis LaRue didn’t. The puck was actually behind Auld trapped in a piece of the net beyond the goal line which the Red Wing broadcast on NHL Network confirmed. The play in question:

What was supposed to be the first stoppage of the third turned into chaos with Toronto headquarters quickly catching the same thing, phoning into Joe Louis to discuss the controversy. While each bench waited, a lengthy review resulted in LaRue referencing the “intent to blow the whistle” rule waiving it off. The problem was that the audio replays showed that the whistle blew three seconds after May’s shot was in hiding behind Auld, who sneaked it back to his pads.

“After I shot it, I didn’t see it go in,” a disappointed May explained of what should’ve been a banner night that included an electrifying scrap he won over Krys Barch in the second. “But he [Auld] was trying to pick his foot up and it was in the net. I just saw a highlight of it and have no idea why it wasn’t a goal.”

“It wasn’t blown dead. It was a goal,” Babcock protested. “The guy never meant to blow the whistle. It was a shot.”

Clearly, both are right of a joke of a rule that usually comes into play for the wrong reason. How does the NHL explain to them that there have already been similar instances this year where initially goals didn’t count but then were overturned after going upstairs? The Rangers had one like that where conclusive replays showed the puck in against LA. It counted which of course didn’t satisfy Terry Murray.

Why not change the rule? If the whistle blows simultaneously or a split second after the puck’s in, then the goal won’t count. But in the event that it’s blown significantly after with it going to review, then it should count. The issue is that the league has an outdated rule which just needs to be refined. We’re only talking about a simple and well explained change that would satisfy everyone. No longer would there be such confusion.

The question is will the NHL consider it. They always are trying to tweak rules to improve the game. So, wouldn’t it be a novel concept to take a closer look at this rule which right now, is way too frustrating for players, coaches and fans who pay good money to see their teams?

We believe it’s time!