Let's start here:
— ðŸ…🅛🅦 (@wazoowazny) February 2, 2018
And then go to here:
Explanation of the Coach's Challenge at 18:30 of the second period in the @GoldenKnights/@NHLJets game. #VGKvsWPG https://t.co/4maJM8ixB7
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 2, 2018
At the end of the day that's no goal because Hellebuyck was slashed in the head by a stick which should be a penalty. Now the argument that he was not interfered with because the puck had moved behind/past him is fine until considering the other way in which he could have been interfered with: by a body preventing him from reaching for it.
Now I'm not sure if everyone has had a stick broken on their head lately, I know I sure as heck haven't but I'm going to assume it hurts, maybe stuns you for a second. So it begs the questions again, what exactly is the rule here?
First off, Hellebuyck's post game comments are well known- he admitted that he did not try to exaggerate the hit, that he didn't shoot his head backward in embellishment but maybe he should. And yes, maybe he should. Hate the game not the player right? That is the game the NHL officials have created, one where cheaters have a greater chance of being rewarded with little consequence for the cheating attempt. The men in stripes, their bosses, and the rules committees have allowed that to happen- might as well play the game.
The fact that this was a game between the two top teams in the west and a single point that could decide home ice advantage in a series between these two should have at least warranted a different look, a more substantial effort to find the error. If the officials missed the penalty why not call it after the fact? Consult with each other, and please, don't tell me they are not allowed to do that when seeing something they missed- why start following the rules now.
Furthermore, Neal whacked a player in the face recklessly and BROKE HIS STICK on the head with no repercussion from the league or any Jets player. Call me old, outdated or whatever but if Matt Hendricks is going to be in the line up isn't he the police man for this team? Hey Buff, you were right there did our not think to take your 275lbs and drive Neal back to protect your goalie?
This is the thing that make fans irate- there is no rhyme or reason to goalie interference anymore or player safety. Brad Marchand has five games for a cheap shot but Neal will get nothing for a 'hockey play' despite this reputation:
In the end the Jets managed to come back before time had run out with nice snipe by Kyle Connor for his 16th of the season before the inevitable let down- OT.
The newest, and who many would call nicest member to the Jets media/blogosphere coverage WpgMurat of the Athletic, has done a great job of looking at the Jets in OT. There are some great points he makes but on a higher level view a few basic questions of Maurice need to be asked:
Combinations- Are they made by guess work or gut feelings? Tactics- Does Maurice seems to place little value on the possession side of Ot? Shift length- do they practice on the fly shift changes for OT?
In the end a gassed team left Peron open and he beat Hellebuyck, finally after the goalie who had sustained a broken stick to the head earlier in the game.
I'm not going to re-hash all the great work from our local beat guys who made all the quotes available last night- the coverage was good, if not excellent as usual, you know them all. I will say this, at some point the league should call out an official by name and deal with them in a way that holds them to account in a public way.
I can't find the tweet from last night but if anyone can link it I'd be appreciative. It said this that with those two officials riffing Jets games the Jets record is 2w 8L, perhaps they are consistent.