The recent NHL playoff game between the Dallas Stars and Winnipeg Jets ignited controversy over a goal credited to Alex Petrovic, who directed the puck into the crease with his skate. After an extensive video review, the NHL determined it was a goal, but this decision stirred debate over Rule 49, especially regarding the lack of clarity in unique situations. A significant point of contention was whether a puck, after being kicked, can be deemed legal if it subsequently deflects off a goalie's stick, revealing a loophole in the rulebook that stirred excitement among sports enthusiasts.
After eight minutes of video review, and no doubt the frantic flipping of rulebook pages in the NHL's Situation Room: Goal.
We've found it! A lacuna in the holy scripture, into which we can all project our own biases and moralities!
The issue here was not whether Petrovic kicked the puckâbut rather what to do when a kicked puck then bounces off the goalie's stick and into the net.
Any good fan has had nightmares about being on wrong side of a judgment call over what defines a 'distinct kicking motion.'
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