NHL responds to waved-off goal in Game 3

[titanium2 867]

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090506/SP...0393/1128/rss16

Anaheim, Calif. -- E.J. McGuire, series manager for the NHL, served as the spokesman for referee Brad Watson following Tuesday’s game in which the Red Wings’ apparent tying goal by Marian Hossa with 1:04 remaining was negated by Watson’s quick whistle. McGuire said Watson wasn’t available for comment.

McGuire’s explanation of the call: "First off, as any of us watch on a replay, it’s easy to make the correct call. In the case tonight, the official was down along the goal line. He was moving forward toward the net to try to get a look at where the puck was. When he couldn’t see the puck, all referees’ instructions are to blow the whistle and blow the play dead. A combination of the black puck and the black pants may have been a factor. But when he didn’t see the puck, he blew the whistle."

On whether, in retrospect, a mistake was made: "He didn’t make a mistake. In hindsight, if he had a slow-motion camera to review it, he may not have (blown the play dead). He did what all officials are instructed to do. Blow the whistle when they don’t see the puck. And he didn’t see the puck. He said he talked to the players on the ice. It’s an emotional game. He wanted to explain to the players on the ice, as he saw it, the puck was out of sight and he blew the whistle. The assumption was that the puck was covered."

It's actually bad enough that they have to release a statement to defend themselves.

Any law students in here? How do you guys put up with that bureaucratic BS on a daily basis? Edited May 6, 2009 by titanium2

[heed316 7]

That is to be expected...do they ever come out and say they made the wrong call?

[Anaheim Lucks 0]

that's all fine and dandy, ok, all refs are instructed to blow the whistle, but that doesn't give us our goal back, does it douchebag? (mcguire)

Edited May 6, 2009 by Anaheim Lucks

[EastLansingNative 1]

A combination of the black puck and the black pants may have been a factor.

That seals the deal, the ducks should now have to wear pink jerseys and pants.

[titanium2 867]

that's all fine and dandy, ok, all refs are instructed to blow the whistle, but that doesn't give us our goal back, does it douchebag? (mcguire)

Anaheim Lucks... More like Anaheim Flukes.

[TheOwl 77]

Pfft the NHL is like Bush during the Iraq war. Bureaucratic excuses across the ******* board. Can't they just say they made a damn mistake, and that they'll think about possible rules changes?

I don't even understand what happened. Didn't the puck cross the line before the whistle anyways? That's what it sounded like to me. Every goal should be reviewable. I hate these bulls*** talking heads. Just say "I screwed up, I hope it doesn't happen again."

[#19forPresident! 1]

That seals the deal, the ducks should now have to wear pink jerseys and pants.

Hahahahaha.......Now that would be rich.

Seriously though, it's not like they're going to come out in the open and say......"Yeah he screwed up and blew his whistle more prematurely than a retiree on Viagra."

[pavyaz19 1]

It's easy to lose sight of the puck... therefore there's another factor: body language. If the goalie acts like has the puck and you can't see it, blow the whistle... if the goalie is falling on his back while scrambling and you can't see the puck, why the hell would your first reaction be to blow the whistle?

Never once did Hiller act like he had any idea where that puck was.

[Outsider 42]

that's all fine and dandy, ok, all refs are instructed to blow the whistle, but that doesn't give us our goal back, does it douchebag? (mcguire)

If they can review a goal to determine whether a player makes a "distinct kicking motion" to put the puck into HIS OWN GOAL, they can SURE AS F*(K review a play like that!

Oh....

And the Ducks 2nd goal shouldn't have counted, either.

[MTU_Huskies963 398]

Not surprising, Tonight we had an ref that was no where near the play blow a call, and a ref right on the play blow a call. I seriously called a Disallowed goal, every time we play the ducks there is controversy. EVERY TIME! Of course the NHL is going to stand by it's ref and the ref is not going to have the balls to say he blew it. In the NFL at least you had one ref come forward and say he blew a call by blowing the whistle.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

If they can review a goal to determine whether a player makes a "distinct kicking motion" to put the puck into HIS OWN GOAL, they can SURE AS F*(K review a play like that!

Oh....

And the Ducks 2nd goal shouldn't have counted, either.

Haha, thats actually a really good point. And also depressing when you compare the two plays.

[#19forPresident! 1]

I think a rule change should be in order. This should be made reviewable. Then they can't make the "we didn't have slow-mo on the ice". WE have the technology now, so use it!

BTW, what a kop out by the league. What a disgrace!

QFT

Should get 3 chances to review a goal judgment per game. It's like performing cardiac surgery with a butter knife when there's a scalpel in the tray right next to it.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

I seriously called a Disallowed goal, every time we play the ducks there is controversy.

No joke, I felt the same way. I cheered for a split second and then had a sense of uneasiness come over me. I'd have been high-fiving everyone in the room otherwise, but I just had to turn and look back at the TV to confirm what my eyes had told me -- and it just wasn't meant to be. There he was, waving his arms.

[Duck Guy 86]

I thought they said ALL goals in playoffs where reviewed?

What ever happened to that?

Edited May 6, 2009 by Duck Guy

[Xitium 272]

I thought they said ALL goals in playoffs where reviewed?

What ever happened to that?

It was never a goal.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

I thought they said ALL goals in playoffs where reviewed?

What ever happened to that?

The blowing of the whistle is not subject to reversal by review.

[Duck Guy 86]

It was never a goal.

oh good point haha

[titanium2 867]

Hmm. This thread should probably merge with the "Reviewability of the calls?" thread. If so then I hope that thread merges into this one so that the video and official statement are up top.

[Yzermania 156]

I was at the game on, so this is the first good luck I got at it, what ******* crap man. I can't believe that.

[Star_Hunter 0]

The NHL will admit their guilt when the ref in question is mysteriously absent from all future playoff games this year.

[Third Man In 2,091]

The problem is that when a whistle is blown players let up. So if the whistle goes before the puck is in the net, you can't do much about that. However, on the disallowed goal tonight, the whistle went after the puck is in the net, so it was the dreaded 'intent to blow' rule. It's one thing if the goalie has the puck covered, the other team is whacking away at it, and it goes in before the ref has the chance to blow the whistle. But when the ref so clearly has it wrong and the puck is in the net before the whistle actually goes, it's ridiculous. It seems like there ought to be some discretion in instances like this and it shouldn't be an unreviewable call.

Edited May 6, 2009 by Third Man In

[pockets 9]

Horrible call but maybe its what we need to light a fire under our team...

Hossa with a trick in game 4 Wings win 5-0

[Captain_Yzerman19 1]

So, Watson was moving towards the goal, and blew the whistle because he lost sight of the puck. Fine, that happens all the time.

Except, explain this to me, Mr. McGuire. The puck went in BEFORE Watson blew his whistle. So, what you are telling me, is that Watson didn't see the puck, even though he was moving towards the goal, and saw the puck go in the net while he blew his whistle.

Now, I think we can come to the conclusion, Mr. McGuire. That with Jonas Hiller spread-eagle doing the splits, there is absolutely no way he could have covered the puck. So, how could Brad Watson not see the puck.

[soultrain 43]

Anaheim Lucks... More like Anaheim Flukes.

more like mighty f***s.

[TheSupafly 50]

Fact of the matter is that the ref wasn't in the proper position to make the right call. I know that I've personally seen some refs go so far as to jump on top of the goal to get in the best position to see the puck. The ref was out of position, and that's why he blew the play dead. Did he do what he was supposed to?...as far as blowing the play dead when you lose sight of the puck, yes...as far as being the best position to make the proper call...no.

s***ty break guys.