An in depth analysis proves that the Avs did have too many men on the ice before Kadri's Game 4 OT winner
Less than 48 hours ago, one of the most controversial goals in NHL history was scored to give the Colorado Avalanche a 3-1 series lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Finals. It wasn't controversial due to an argument as to whether or not the puck had crossed the line - that much was clear. The goal, though, should not have counted and Sportsnet's Tim Micallef explains why.
While there are a lot of screen captures floating around on social media showing the Avs with 6 players on the ice and Tampa having 7, as Micallef puts it, "screen captures are like Nicki Minaj videos. They show you a lot, but they don't show you everything."
According to the NHL rule book, and rule 74.1 in specific; "Players may be changed at any time during the play from the players' bench provided that the player or players leaving the ice shall be within 5 feet of his players' bench and out of the play before the change is made. If either the player entering the game or the player retiring plays the puck or who checks or makes any physical contact with an opposing player while both players involved in the substitution are are on the ice, then the infraction of "too many men on the ice" will be called." That is straight from the rule book.
In this case, neither the two Bolts players leaving the ice, nor the two who were coming on the ice were involved in the play, nor had they made any contact with anyone, therefore, the change is good. In MacKinnon/Kadri's case however, MacKinnon was not 5 feet from the bench when Kadri came onto the ice. In fact, he was probably closer to 20 or 30 feet from the bench when Kadri came onto the ice. It takes MacKinnon almost a full 5 seconds after Kadri is on the ice to leave the ice.
As far as being involved in the play, Micallef emphasized the fact that not only was Kadri involved in the play, he was the goal scorer. "It's too many men," Micallef said, full stop.
Obviously, it's far too late to do anything about it now, but the worst part may have been that the NHL has already come out and defended the officials, calling it a "judgement call", despite the fact that the rules on the subject are VERY clearly defined in the NHL's rule book. It would have been better to just admit that it was a missed call. I think had that happened, everyone may have been able to move on. However, now, if the Avs win in Game 5 tonight and take home their first Stanley Cup in 21 years, it will be tainted with controversy. There will be people out there who may try to put an asterisk beside this one for the Avs and who may not let it go.
That said, there are still as many as 3 games that have yet to be played and anything can happen. If the Bolts come back and win the series in 7, nobody is talking about this play ever again. However, if the Avs skate away with the win in any of the next 3 games, be prepared to hear more about this non-call.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 24 | 211 ANSWERS An in depth analysis proves that the Avs did have too many men on the ice before Kadri's Game 4 OT winner Do you think the Avs should have had a too many men penalty called against them in OT before Kadri scored? | ||
| Yes, the rules are the rules | 87 | 41.2 % |
| No, I have no problem with it | 124 | 58.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
