Tough, tough call. Actually looks like the shooter pulled it back, not Rask poke checking it, and based on its path through the circle, it’s still in forward motion. Looks a lot like Ruutu on Lundqvist, except Ruutu’s kept going because he lost it, before taking his real shot.

Definition too low to say where the second one hit, but based on the exit angle, it does point more towards the inner rear metal bar, not the crossbar.

Tough, tough deal.

Posted by SENShobo from Waterloo, ON on 03/21/09 at 12:25 PM ET

Dunkin’ Donuts Center? Wacey Rabbit? Sorry, I’m too busy laughing to worry about what happens in the video.

Posted by shep on 03/21/09 at 02:48 PM ET

Well, Isn’t it illegal for the skater to skate like that? he skated backwards afterwards.  I was under the impression that you have to be always in a general forward skating position.  I can understand why he was mad.

Posted by Luongo-is-my-hero on 03/21/09 at 07:13 PM ET

After watching that several more times, I think the Ref definitely blew both calls.  the 1st one, even if rask missed the poke check, the skater broke the rule by going backwards.  the second shot clearly hit the post and went out. I guess it would be hard to say for 100 percent sure without better camera angles but based on what i saw, the first play was illegal.

Posted by Luongo-is-my-hero on 03/21/09 at 07:18 PM ET

the skater broke the rule by going backwards

The rule only refers to the puck, not the skater.

Check section 25.2

Posted by shep on 03/22/09 at 12:09 AM ET

BTW, the rule is the same in the AHL. I just referred to the NHL because they have their rulebook in html form, while the AHL only has it in PDF.

Posted by shep on 03/22/09 at 12:11 AM ET

The rules and referee instructions are that penalty shot should imitate a breakaway and moves that would result in defender reaching the shooter are illegal. First goal should definitely be disallowed on the basis that the player would have at least one defender on him before making a shot.

Posted by DR on 03/22/09 at 02:49 PM ET

i was in the corner at the top of the screen in the 3rd row. 1st one rask did not pokecheck but the skater lost control of the puck and skated back to it…which as far as i knew, you could not do. the 2nd goal was definitely off the corner of the post, i heard a loud “ping” and the puck came right out, nothing inside the providence net can make that sound as all the interior posts (except for the bottom back one) are padded and it came out too fast to have hit the post to cause a ping THEN hit the back bar where the ref said it did (which is almost impossible anyway)...i also heard from linesman bob paquette (#18) and he said neither should have been goals. ALSO, the goal judge never lit his lamp and the next day when asked by someone who sits near us, said it did not go in.

Posted by PING! from Seekonk, MA on 04/05/09 at 11:30 PM ET