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Buffalo Sabres coach rips into referees for 3 calls in win over Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers nearly mounted an impressive comeback over the Sabres with the help of some questionable calls, and coach Lindy Ruff sounded off post-game.
The Oilers had one goal against overturned, and arguably benefited from no goal review on McDavid's tying goal. They also scored off a missed icing call, and Ruff was clearly livid with all 3 calls.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff rips into refs after win over Edmonton Oilers
Perhaps the most consequential call of the night was the overturned Sabres goal for an alleged hand-pass. This is a call that's come up in recent games across the NHL, and the league seems to be taking a controversial stance on the play.
You know when a guy's 5 feet from centre ice, and you don't get an icing call - it's just not even close. You have to call it. It gave them life.
I thought the glove pass - I don't know where that came from either. I don't think anyone in the league knows anymore where it comes from.
There's no explanation. I've watched every hand pass - there's two hands on the stick! I don't even think he sees the puck. There's no hand off his stick, I don't know how they came up with hand pass. It boggles me. Someone has to explain it to me.
I want to know why they didn't review, with 1 second left, goalie interference. That's a league review, why didn't they review it? Was the guy not in the edge of the crease?
- Lindy Ruff
I thought the glove pass - I don't know where that came from either. I don't think anyone in the league knows anymore where it comes from.
There's no explanation. I've watched every hand pass - there's two hands on the stick! I don't even think he sees the puck. There's no hand off his stick, I don't know how they came up with hand pass. It boggles me. Someone has to explain it to me.
I want to know why they didn't review, with 1 second left, goalie interference. That's a league review, why didn't they review it? Was the guy not in the edge of the crease?
- Lindy Ruff
It was a serious tirade against the officials, and unfortunately Ruff might have a point.
Alex Tuch didn't seem to make intentional contact with his glove on the puck, and his hand never left his stick. There was no manner in which Tuch made an unfair play to defend against, it was just a normal battle for body position that luckily went his way. Even Oilers fans agree that goal should probably stand, despite the NHL's ruling.
On the tying goal with one second left, there really was a ton of action in the crease that may have impeded the goaltender too. It's hard to tell directly if there was interference, but it's a consequential call that should've seen a league review.
The Oilers may have got a few lucky breaks from the refs in last night's game, but still not enough to come away with a win. They simply didn't bring their best effort in the first 40 minutes, and that will cost any team in the modern NHL.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 10 | 614 ANSWERS Buffalo Sabres coach rips into referees for 3 calls in win over Edmonton Oilers Do you think Thompson's goal should have been overturned for a hand pass? | ||
| Yes | 448 | 73 % |
| No | 166 | 27 % |
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