Controversy early in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Final

The Carolina Hurricanes have scored their first goal of the Eastern Conference Final in dramatic, somewhat controversial fashion.

With the Hurricanes down 2-0 to the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series, Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho cut the Panthers' lead to one with a nifty footy-style skate redirect goal. Aho made a slick redirection of the puck with his skates directly in front of Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, directing the puck through Bobrovsky's legs and into the Panthers' goal.

Check it out:

The Panthers would protest the goal saying that Aho actually kicked the puck into the goal illegally. The protest was in vain though as officials ruled the play a good goal. 2-1 Panthers through 20. 

What do you think? Good goal?

Personally, I'm not sure I like the rule that states players are allowed to 'redirect' the puck with their skate. To me it goes against the spirit of the game, which is to shoot and score...  not kick and score. But a rule is a rule and I think that this is a good goal given how the rules are written.

Rule 37.4:

Plays that involve a puck entering the net as a direct result of a “distinct kicking motion” shall be ruled NO GOAL.

A “distinct kicking motion,” for purposes of Video Review, is one where the video makes clear that an attacking Player has deliberately propelled the puck with a kick of his foot or skate and the puck subsequently enters the net. A goal cannot be scored on a play where an attacking Player propels the puck with his skate into the net (even by means of a subsequent deflection off of another Player) using a “distinct kicking motion.” A goal also cannot be scored on a play where an attacking Player kicks any equipment (stick, glove, helmet, etc.) at the puck, including kicking the blade of his own stick, causing the puck to cross the goal line.

A puck that deflects into the net off an attacking Player’s skate who does not use a “distinct kicking motion” shall be ruled a GOAL. A puck that is directed into the net by an attacking Players’ skate shall also be ruled a GOAL, as long as no “distinct kicking motion” is evident.

Rule 49.2:

A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who uses a distinct kicking motion to propel the puck into the net with his skate/foot.

A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who kicks a puck that deflects into the net off any player, goalkeeper or official.

A puck that deflects into the net off an attacking player’s skate who does not use a distinct kicking motion is a legitimate goal. A puck that is directed into the net by an attacking player’s skate shall be a legitimate goal as long as no distinct kicking motion is evident.

The following should clarify deflections following a kicked puck that enters the goal:

(i) A kicked puck that deflects off the body of any player of either team (including the goalkeeper) shall be ruled no goal.

(ii) A kicked puck that deflects off the stick of any player (excluding the goalkeeper’s stick) shall be ruled a good goal.

(iii) A goal will be allowed when an attacking player kicks the puck and the puck deflects off his own stick and then into the net.

(iv) A goal will be allowed when a puck enters the goal after deflecting off an attacking player’s skate or deflects off his skate while he is in the
process of stopping.

A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who kicks any equipment (stick, glove, helmet, etc.) at the puck, including kicking the blade of his own stick, causing the puck to cross the goal line.