Controversial offside challenge upholds Wild goal vs. Kings (Video)
For the most part, the coach’s challenge has worked well in its debut season. On scoring plays that may or may not involve goalie interference or an offside play, it’s been an effective way to confirm or overturn a call. Even if the officials are using a Nintendo DS to do so.
But every week, there’s a review or two that just leaves you … unconvinced. Such was the review in the Minnesota Wild’s game against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.
At 19:46 of the second period, Charlie Coyle stepped over the blue line on a breakaway. He sniped the puck past Jonathan Quick to give the Wild a 2-0 lead.
BUT WAIT! The Kings thought that Coyle was in the zone before the puck. So off we went to the video review, as the linesmen studied the play.
After further review … the goal was good. As the NHL explained:
After reviewing all available replays and consulting with NHL Hockey Operations staff, the Linesman determined that Coyle had possession and control of the puck as he entered the attacking zone, even though his skates preceded the puck over the blue line. According to Rule 83.1, “a player actually controlling the puck who shall cross the line ahead of the puck shall not be considered ‘off-side,’ provided he had possession and control of the puck prior to his skates crossing the blue line.”
That “control of the puck” thing seems a little specious, as Coyle seemed to be attempting to settle the bouncing puck as he crossed the line. But “control” and “possession” are sorta vague in NHL rulebook terms.
But here’s the real head-smacker on this play, and other offside reviews: How the hell isn’t there a camera that’s right on the blue line, with no angle?
We wonder the same thing every time the NFL has a pointless “review the spot” challenge, in which fractions of a yard are specified via a camera on an angle. And we’re wondering about it here as the Wild are handed a goal that the video review didn’t necessarily confirm emphatically.
—
Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at [email protected] or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
MORE FROM YAHOO SPORTS
