Bennett clearly cross checked Charlie Coyle into the Bruins goaltender, giving him the time and space to shoot the pick into a glaring empty net. Coyle fell onto Swayman and completely took him out of the play, and directly according to the NHL rule book, that is a play that must be called as goalie interference.
For the referees to make a mistake of this magnitude in a playoff game is simply unbelievable, and should be reprehensible. To miss such a basic portion of the rule that could contribute to a goal that alters a playoff game is gross negligence by the referees.
The officiating has been a large part of discussion in these NHL playoffs so far, not only in the Florida/Boston series but especially in the Oilers and Canucks as well. Refereeing is a hard job, of course, but when it comes to missing rules with video replay and time to review - it's simply unacceptable.
POLL | ||
12 MAI | 435 ANSWERS Referees make brutal mistake and allow goal after goalie interference Did you know a player shoving another into the goalie is considered goalie interference? | ||
Yes, of course, it's a basic rule | 358 | 82.3 % |
No, never knew, refs made a honest mistake | 46 | 10.6 % |
See Results | 31 | 7.1 % |
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