Antoine Roussel scores weirdest goal of the playoffs (Video)
The Dallas Stars opened the scoring in Game 2 against the Minnesota Wild in strange fashion.
Early in the second period, Marco Scandella’s clearing attempt went off Ales Hemsky’s skate toward Antoine Roussel behind the Wild net. Roussel attempted to settle the bouncing puck with his skate but it had other ideas. The puck would bounce up and over the net, off of Dubnyk’s helmet and down his back into the net.
Officials waived off the goal, but they would review it.
There were two questions to answered: Was that a distinct kicking motion by Roussel and did the entire puck cross the line before the moorings came off.
After a review, it was determined a no to the first question and a yes to the second.
That’s definitely a one-of-a-kind goal.
Here’s the explanation from the NHL Situation Room blog:
At 3:54 of the second period in the Wild/Stars game, the Situation Room initiated a video review to further examine a play at the Minnesota net. Video review determined that the puck crossed the Minnesota goal line in a legal fashion prior to the net being displaced. According to Rule 78.4 “The goal frame shall be considered in its proper position when at least a portion of the flexible peg(s) are still inside both the goal post and the hole in the ice”. Good goal Dallas.
The Stars would go on to win 2-1 and take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Afterward, Wild coach John Torchetti wasn’t allowing himself to get too bothered with the call, especially with his team now facing a two-game deficit. “It’s what they call back in Toronto. If it’s a goal, it’s a goal. Got to move on,” he said.
Dubnyk, however, sang a different tune.
“I’m not even going to talk about it,” Dubnyk said. “It’s embarrassing. It’s not even worth the fine to tell you guys what I think about it. It’s amazing. It’s playoffs.”
…
“It’s not even worth talking about,” Dubnyk said. “It’s mind-blowing that that’s the outcome of that play in the playoffs. Mind-blowing.”
What a memorable first playoff goal for Roussel. And, hey, if this whole hockey thing doesn’t work out, one of the other local teams may have an opening.
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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
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