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In last night's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto forward Mitchell Marner was awarded a penalty shot after being blatantly fouled from behind on a shorthanded breakaway. He scored on his subsequent penalty shot attempt; a big momentum swing in the game.
This call, quite honestly, was a no-brainer.
In last night's Frozen Four semifinals game between Minnesota Duluth and Providence, there was a breakaway in which Providence could have been awarded a penalty shot. Instead, they received a power play (which gave the Friars a 5-on-3 advantage) but were unable to score. That, too, proved to be a pivotal juncture of the game.
This call was not as clear cut as the one but an argument could be made that it met the criteria for awarding a penalty shot:
1) The attacking player is fouled from behind.
2) The attacker is past the red line (it need not be the blue line).
3) The attacker has passed everyone on the defending team except the goalie.
4) The attacker has possession and control of the puck at the time he's fouled.
5) The attacker loses a reasonable scoring chance as a result of the foul.
Criteria two and five seem to cause the most trouble, especially the fifth. It is very common to see the fouled player still get a shot away and for no penalty shot to be awarded on the basis that the player "still had a scoring chance" despite the foul.
Well, yeah, maybe a great scoring chance became a much more stoppable one because the attacker no longer had the same amount of speed or puck control he had prior to the foul. In my view, it should still a penalty shot, because the scoring chance should be re-established.
On the flip side, what if the foul from behind is shrugged off and the attacker goes in full speed ahead to get the same scoring chance he'd have otherwise have? If that's the judgment, then it is a minor penalty rather than a penalty shot.
My rule of thumb when judging: If a "great" scoring chance becomes an average/so-so one, it's a penalty shot. If great becomes "good", it's probably NOT a penalty shot.
My advise to young officials never varies: If a penalty shot is warranted, calling a minor penalty instead of the proper call is a cop-out. You are paid to judge, so judge. Be courageous.
Penalty shot rulings are a good example of the yo-yo effect. Ideally, there should be relatively minor fluctuations in the number that arise each season. However, this is accomplished through education about the criteria and an expectation of making the judgment call accordingly. Working backwards, here's a look at the total number of penalty shots called in the NHL over the last six regular seasons.
2018-19: 43
2017-18: 49
2016-17: 43
2015-16: 55
2014-15: 37
2013-14: 69
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A Class of 2018 inductee to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, 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.
Visit Paul's official website, YaWannaGo.com.
Blogger •Former NHL Referee • 
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