The Stanley Cup Playoffs proceed to be marred by controversial calls made by the on-ice officers and the State of affairs Room in Toronto. Whether or not it’s a missed penalty or a controversial purpose, the officers are taking heart stage, and the main target actually needs to be on the gamers and the video games themselves. This time, Alexander Petrovic and the Dallas Stars had been in the course of all of it.
Sadly, this has been a development all season. It additionally dates again to final season when it got here to goalie interference. Nevertheless, this time, the rulebook is being scrutinized much more due to the ruling in Recreation 3 of Spherical 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets.
NHL Rumors: The New York Rangers and Their Offseason
Early into the third interval, with the sport tied at 2-2, Petrovic kicked the puck in direction of the web on a scramble close to Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck. The puck then hit Hellebuyck’s stick, and he tried to go after it, stopping the puck from getting into the web. Nevertheless, Hellebuyck was unsuccessful.
Now, the decision on the ice by the official on the purpose line was an excellent purpose. That issue can be necessary in a while, because the NHL State of affairs Room can overturn the decision on the ice if there’s an abundance of proof or indeniable proof to take action, or else they go together with the decision on the ice.
At first, there was confusion on the ice as this was not a problem by Jets head coach Scott Arniel. The officers went to the scorer’s desk because the evaluation got here from the State of affairs Room in Toronto. They had been trying to see if Petrovic kicked the puck on internet. It was a prolonged delay because the in-arena DJ placed on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Freebird. That could be a 9:10 track. That’s how lengthy the officers and State of affairs Room took to determine the decision on the ice was proper, and it was an excellent purpose.
William Nylander Not Afraid of the Playoff Highlight
Nevertheless, the reason had everybody scratching their heads and sending confusion all through your complete NHL.
The referee acquired on the mic and mentioned that whereas Alexander Petrovic kicked the puck in direction of the web, Connor Hellebuyck made a play on the puck and propelled it into the web, thus making it an excellent purpose. Even the NHL State of affairs Room backed the on-ice officers’ name of an excellent name.
“The State of affairs Room initiated a video evaluation to additional study if Alexander Petrovic kicked the puck into the Winnipeg internet. Video was then used to find out if the puck made contact with Petrovic’s stick previous to it getting into the web. After taking a look at all accessible replays, video evaluation supported the Referee’s name on the ice that Connor Hellebuyck propelled the puck into his personal internet.”
Quickly after, everybody went to the NHL Rulebook to see if the phrase “propelled” was in it and to search for the rule about objectives being disallowed due to a definite kicking movement. Clearly, the puck deflected off Hellebuyck’s stick and into the web, and based on the principles, if a puck that’s kicked on internet and hits the goalie’s stick and goes in doesn’t rely.
Ref clarification: “The Winnipeg goalie places the puck into his personal internet after a kick.”
Hmm… Appears like they’re saying it WAS a kick that didn’t simply DEFLECT however that Hellebuyck’s actions put it into the web.
Undecided about that based mostly on part ii under: https://t.co/7QYLVAQaPW
— Scouting The Refs (@ScoutingTheRefs) Might 11, 2025
There have been a number of guidelines in place, because the NHL felt below Rule 49.2, and if a goalie places a kicked puck into their very own internet, it could possibly rely. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet clarified the ruling and defined why the evaluation took so lengthy due to the variety of requested replays. To not point out, the On-Ice Officers felt strongly that the puck was not illegally kicked in. Additionally they felt that if it was kicked, Hellebuyck “propelled it in” as an alternative of deflecting it in.
Can the Winnipeg Jets Struggles Fall on Simply Connor Hellebuyck?
Nevertheless, the phrase “propelled” doesn’t seem within the NHL Rulebook. Many are questioning how the principles are being interpreted by not solely the State of affairs Room but additionally the on-ice officers. Whereas there isn’t any proof that playing or betting performed a task on this name, the integrity of the game may come into query.
In case you return to the Artturi Lehkonen purpose in Recreation 1 of Spherical 1, when the Colorado Avalanche took on the Dallas Stars. Regardless of Lehkonen falling off stability, his left leg makes a soccer-style kicking movement on the puck to propel it into the web.
Artturi Lehkonen simply FLUNG the puck off his skate and into the web with out kicking it ? pic.twitter.com/25wwwQBZMy
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 20, 2025
Regardless of the referees saying no intent, you possibly can see this was a kicking movement. Nevertheless, this purpose stood out just like the Alexander Petrovic purpose. Just like the Lehkonen purpose, should you ask the coaches concerning the Petrovic purpose, one will say it was an excellent purpose, and the opposite will say it was the mistaken name, as we noticed with Scott Arniel and Pete DeBoer post-game.
David Carle, Not Joel Quenneville is the Proper Match for the Anaheim Geese
That was a giant second as a result of the Winnipeg Jets unravelled after enjoying an excellent highway sport. Mikko Rantanen continues his sizzling streak and scored moments later to provide the Stars a 4-2 lead they didn’t look again on.
With increasingly more calls below scrutiny, social media doesn’t assist the trigger; nonetheless, watching the video games, you possibly can see one thing is off this season. Whereas the NHL will all the time again their officers, it may be time to place them in entrance of the microphones to clarify their calls as an alternative of individuals guessing.
However bear in mind, as beforehand talked about, the State of affairs Room will go together with the decision on the ice if there isn’t an abundance of proof to overturn it. Alexander Petrovic’s purpose has sparked controversy and made individuals query the rulebook. The controversy will rage on whether or not the NHL acquired the decision proper, however one factor is for certain: everyone seems to be left dazed and confused.
Have you ever subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s new, and we’re simply getting began. Rumor roundups and sizzling subjects from across the league. We’re additionally posting some stuff on Instagram.
