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New York Islanders: Refs Blow Obvious Goalie Interference

By Matt O'Leary

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 05: Referee Kyle Rehman handles the game between the Los Angeles Kings and the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on February 05, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Kings defeated the Devils 5-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 05: Referee Kyle Rehman handles the game between the Los Angeles Kings and the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on February 05, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Kings defeated the Devils 5-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Last night, the referees blew one of the more obvious goalie interference calls. Luckily, the New York Islanders still won in a shootout.

Goalie interference, like almost every other call, is a judgment decision by the referees. Unfortunately last night, the refs missed an obvious one and it nearly cost the New York Islanders the game.

With 15:20 in the third period, JG Pageau netted his second of the year. Brady Tkachuk went right to the net, into Robin Lehner and the puck was right there for Pageau to tap in for an easy goal.

It was initially ruled a goal, and then the referees huddled and talked for a minute. After they broke the huddle, it was ruled that it was goalie interference. Naturally, Ottawa challenged. Look for yourself, this is goalie interference right?

Wrong. After review, the NHL decided that Brock Nelson gave Brady Tkachuk enough of a push to negate the goalie interference. Brock was gliding into him and Brady didn’t put any effort into getting out of the way.

It’s like in baseball when a batter doesn’t do enough to get away from a pitch and it hits him. Same concept, different sport. A lot less contact has resulted in goalie interference and as the Senators broadcast said Lehner was “Steamrolled”.

According to the NHL Rulebook, Rule 69.3:

"If an attacking player initiates contact with a goalkeeper, incidental or otherwise, while the goalkeeper is in his goal crease, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed"

It appeared like contact in the crase to me, which according to this rule would result in the goal being disallowed. Robin Lehner left the game after this and Thomas Greiss had to spell him. Keep an eye out for updates on Lehner’s status.

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