Oilers coach Knoblauch sends a message to NHL on goalie interference challenge
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
The Edmonton Oilers won an incredible game 1 of back and forth hockey against the Florida Panthers in Game 1, but they were nearly stung by the controversial Sam Bennett goal.
The Oilers challenged for goaltender interference as Sam Bennett clearly knocked Stuart Skinner before the puck went in.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch defends goalie interference challenge on Bennett goal
Although it was ruled a goal and the Oilers were given a penalty, Knoblauch stuck by his challenge. When speaking to the media post game, the Coach said he believes it was goalie interference, and worth the challenge.
I'd challenge that any day. Actually on the bench I was even looking at it again, getting ready for our next lines, and I see Bennett fall in. I'm told he was tripped, so.
If that play happened again, I would challenge it. What I've seen through the NHL this year on the challenges for goaltender interference, I'd have a lot of confidence in challenging that again.
- Coach Knoblauch
If that play happened again, I would challenge it. What I've seen through the NHL this year on the challenges for goaltender interference, I'd have a lot of confidence in challenging that again.
- Coach Knoblauch
It's significant to see Knoblauch double down on his challenging idea, even after the NHL quickly ruled against him in this case.
The NHL Public Relations department released an official explanation citing that Bennett was tripped by Kulak, but there's solid history to doubt that from Bennett.
The decision was made in accordance with Note 2 of Rule 38.11 (ii) which states, in part, that the goal should be allowed because «the attacking Player was pushed, shoved or fouled by the defending Player causing the attacking Player to come into contact with the goalkeeper.»
- NHL Public Relations
- NHL Public Relations
Knobaluch's double down on challenge sends message to NHL
The highly debatable aspect of this goalie interference case is how much Brett Kulak truly knocked Bennett into the goalie.
Knoblauch could be sending a bit of a message to the NHL here by doubling down on his challenge decision, and insisting to the league that the goalies need to be protected more. Bennett can't just touch an Oilers player in the slot and get a free pass to barrel into the goaltender.
Regardless, the Oilers didn't allow this bad break to get to them, and took the rest of the game into their own hands backed by a stellar Stuart Skinner. Hopefully any more goalie interference drama is avoided for the rest of this series.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 5 | 871 ANSWERS Oilers coach Knoblauch sends a message to NHL on goalie interference challenge Do you think this goal should been overturned for goalie interference? | ||
| Yes | 755 | 86.7 % |
| No | 116 | 13.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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