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Matt Brauckmann The Hockey Writers

Published on Wednesday, March 4, 2015

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It’s Time For the NHL to Stop Babying Goalies

Not so long ago, I wrote an article detailing things the NHL should change. In that article, I spoke about the issue of goaltender interference and how it for some reason is not reviewable in the NHL. Tuesday night’s game between the Flyers and Flames is prime example number one of why this play needs to be reviewable.

Let’s examine everything that went wrong here.

First of all, the call on the ice was a goal. And Tim Peel was in perfect position to see Nick Schultz get pushed by Raphael Diaz and Johnny Gaudreau, fall, and not kick the puck into the net.

The logic behind calling this no goal was that the goalie was interfered with, and the play was non-reviewable. Let’s set aside the fact that this was originally called a goal and then somehow overturned without a review. The one thing they did get correct is that this play, under the current rules, is not reviewable.

This needs to change. Plain and simple.

The Flyers are in the midst of a playoff push, and ultimately, the game would have ended 3-2 in regulation if that goal had counted. That point could mean the difference between a playoff spot or not at the end of the season.

And it’s not just the Flyers. Countless times you will see a attacking player pushed by a defender, make contact with the goalie, and the goal

(Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports)

(Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports)

be waved off due to interference. And if the referee doesn’t see the push or the goaltender puts on a Oscar worthy act, guess what? There is no goal, regardless of who’s at fault.

It’s time the NHL starts putting less emphasis on protecting the goalies, and more emphasis on allowing good hockey goals to count. The NHL has reached a point where a goalie can be tapped, and if he falls, most likely he’ll get the benefit of the doubt and draw a penalty for his team.

There are plenty of situations where goaltender interference is warranted, and that needs to stay in the game. But the NHL needs to start being a little more relaxed when it comes to contact with the goaltenders. Defenders and goalies alike are taking plenty of advantage, and in situations like we saw on Tuesday, that costed a team crucial points.

Start by adding video review on situations like the one mentioned above. It needs to change.

 


Tagged in this article

Raphael Diaz Nick Schultz Johnny Gaudreau Philadelphia Flyers Calgary Flames National Hockey League
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