NHL referee analyst confirms Panthers goal shouldn't have happened in Game 2 vs Oilers
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
The Edmonton Oilers lost Game 2 by the thinnest of margins in double overtime, after battling back from a goal that shouldn't have counted from the Florida Panthers.
As usual, Sam Bennett was at the core of the playoffs again. The Panthers elite pest forward also knocked Stuart Skinner for the second time, but before that, scored the critical opening goal after a missed call.
Referee analysts confirm play should have been stopped before Bennett's opening goal
On the first goal of the game, Sam Bennett chopped Mattias Ekholm's stick out of his hands, then kicked it in the other direction. With the Oilers bench and Ekholm screaming for a stoppage in play, Bennett took the open ice to score.
Turns out, Ekholm and everyone else clamouring for a whistle were correct. According to Scouting the Refs, the NHL's rulebook clearly states that Bennett's actions should've been penalized - but the Oilers could not challenge the play.
A minor penalty for interference shall be imposed: On a player who deliberately knocks the stick out of an opponent's hand, or prevents a player who has dropped his stick or any other piece of equipment from regaining possession of it.
- NHL Rulebook
- NHL Rulebook
The referees missed a critical call here, which essentially gave the Panthers a momentary 5 on 3. They took advantage, and the refs failed to call a fair game in that instance.
When the margins are so slim between two elite teams like the Oilers and Panthers, one goal can make all the difference. At the same time, there's no use in dwelling on any of it - the Oilers can only take on the challenge ahead.
Getting a 2-0 series lead heading to Florida would've been an incredible start for the Oilers, but this was never going to be easy. Now, they'll have to win at least one in Ameran Bank Arena, with their first chance on Monday June 9th.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 7 | 1833 ANSWERS NHL referee analyst confirms Panthers goal shouldn't have happened in Game 2 vs Oilers Do you think the Panthers are getting away with more penalties than the Oilers? | ||
| Yes | 1610 | 87.8 % |
| No | 223 | 12.2 % |
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