Leafs screwed by controversial goal, ruining any chance of a potential comeback
You know it's been a bad night in Toronto when even the coaches challenges don't go your way. As if the flat start, shaky goaltending and downright shameful on ice officiating weren't enough, the review room in Toronto decided to get in on the fun and stick it to the Leafs as well.
While none of the Leafs' play in Game 1 is excusable, it's worth pointing out that the officials weren't exactly helpful out there. A questionable 5 minute major and match penalty to Michael Bunting put the Leafs down a man in the second period with the game within reach at 4-2. During the powerplay, Corey Perry took a shot from a sharp angle, Samsonov stopped it, but Perry and Anthony Cirelli jammed away at it before beginning to celebrate.
The call on the ice was a goal, but the replay shown on TV was far from conclusive. The puck never appeared to fully cross the line. The only time it did get to a point where it may have was after Perry had jammed his stick into Samsonov's pad, which is illegal.
After the review room decided the puck HAD crossed the line, Keefe challenged the play for goaltender interference. After all, Perry DID move Samsonov's leg while the puck was wedged between his skate and the post. The rule states a player cannot push the goaltender into the net. Apparently the review room elected to ignore that tidbit. The challenge cost the Leafs an extra penalty, putting them down 2 men. The Lightning would score again shortly afterwards to make it 6-2.
While the Leafs certainly didn't do themselves any favours, they definitely didn't get any luck either. If that puck crossed the line at all, it was by millimetres, and it only did because of Perry pushing the goaltender's pad. At a key point in the game while it was still within reach, the Leafs were absolutely screwed twice on the same play. Sheldon Keefe's post game comments should be fun!
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 18 | 781 ANSWERS Leafs screwed by controversial goal, ruining any chance of a potential comeback Should this have been a goal or no goal? | ||
| Goal | 100 | 12.8 % |
| No goal | 474 | 60.7 % |
| Who cares, they played like crap! | 111 | 14.2 % |
| Who is paying these refs? | 96 | 12.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
