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More than any other topic related to NHL Rules, I get asked questions -- and write blogs -- about goaltender interference (Rule 69). Of the many poorly written rules in the NHL Rule Book, the set of instructions related to determining goal/no goal (and, sometimes, penalty/no penalty) are simultaneously too open-ended and too specific to the point of being counter-intuitive and self-contractory for essentially similar situations.
Year after year, especially in the playoffs, this topic comes up. What we need to do as a sport is revisit a simple premise that the late John McCauley used in order to guide me and his other charges with what to do with making judgment calls in borderline situations or murky instructions from the Rule Book.
John would ask us this question: "What is the PURPOSE of this rule being in the book?"
In the case of goaltender interference, it fundamentally boils down to whether actions directly initiated by an attacking player making physical contact with the goaltender unfairly prevent the goaltender from having a realistic opportunity to make a save.
By its very nature, there is always going to be subjectivity involved on potential goaltender interference calls. We pay our officials to judge, and that's what they need to do.... in proper position to have a good look at the play (a topic that I also address frequently).
In the case of the recent Rickard Rackell goal in the Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers series, we have a ref positioned right at the net rather than way off in the corner. As such, I am more inclined to put faith in the judgement call that was made. Anaheim's Ryan Kesler was rather clearly pushed into the goalie crease by Darnell Nurse.
OK, so thus far, the first key part of Rule 69 is addressed.
If an attacking player has been pushed, shoved, or fouled by a defending player so as to cause him to come into contact with the goalkeeper, such contact will not be deemed contact initiated by the attacking player for purposes of this rule...
But now we get to the very cloudy part of this play:
... provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact.
Other sections of the rule also spell out that, even if pushed, the attacking player must make the same said reasonable effort to vacate the crease in timely fashion. Well, you can be the judge (but, fans with rooting interest in the series, pretend the two teams' uniforms are indistinguishable).
If you want to make a case either which way on this play on a goal or no-goal call, there's some interpretation that can fit your case based on the available angles. Such is hockey, and such is the challenge of officiating. I personally agree with Ron MacLean and the studio analysts who think the right call was made in allowing the goal and not calling interference.
I'm sure many will disagree. So be it.
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Paul Stewart holds the distinction of being the first U.S.-born citizen to make it to the NHL as both a player and referee. On March 15, 2003, he became the first American-born referee to officiate in 1,000 NHL games.
Today, Stewart serves as director of hockey officiating for the ECAC.