National Hockey League fans, you might have been confused about the overturned Colorado Avalanche goal on Thursday night off a St. Louis Blues challenge, and you were right, and clearly not the only ones...
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun investigated on the challenge and managed to get the NHL to admit they had made a mistake on the offside challenge. Here's what LeBrun breaks down in his article on TSN.ca.
"I reached out to the league on Friday morning and it acknowledged (then explained) an error in the offside challenge in Denver. I'm hoping this makes sense, but here we go:
When you watch the video, it’s clear Andrighetto puts himself offside. And ultimately, that's what the review decided, too, so the Avs’ tying goal was nullified.
However, upon further reflection, the league now realizes that since Andrighetto wasn't ruled offside by the linesman on the spot – which he should have been – you've got a new zone entry when he skates back into the zone with the puck.
Hence, the NHL last night nullified a goal on a second zone entry which, as per the current video review rules, you can't do. Only the last zone entry can exist for any review. When Andrighetto re-enters the zone without the play being blown dead, it's by definition a clean zone entry.
So what should have happened is the goal stands, and the Blues get a penalty for a failed challenge."
LeBrun clearly states that under the current rule, Sven Andrighetto's goal should have stood.
At least the NHL is admitting to the mistakes, and hopefully will be more careful for upcoming similar situations.
Will they call the Avalanche up for a mea culpa?
