Major goaltender interference controversy erupts in preseason game
A preseason game between the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers was not without its fair share of controversy involving goaltender interference.
It seems as though controversial calls are the rule rather than the exception, even before the season gets underway, including goalie interference. In a pre-season game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Montreal Canadiens, an apparent Flyers' goal was called back because of goalie interference. The ruling really had fans and commentators scratching their heads. You can see the play for yourself below.
Watching the play, it's hard to find any interference. The call at best was very questionable, raising severe question marks as to how these rulings are made and their consistency. These moments raise eyebrows over the quality of officiating, mainly since such key decisions might hang in the balance of a team's season.
The preseason is supposed to be a time when teams and players work their way back into rhythm, but it seems that way for the officials, too, in cleaning up their decision-making. Still, this wasn't just about pre-season rust: goalie interference has long been a source of much debate, and this was another example of how unpredictable these decisions can get.
This inconsistency in interpreting goalie interference creates confusion for the players, coaches, and fans alike. Without better guidelines or at least more consistent officiating, this will undoubtedly not be the last disputed call we have in the season.
Otherwise, with no action from the NHL regarding this matter, it is a very real possibility that a pivotal playoff goal, or even one in the Stanley Cup Final, could be taken away incorrectly based on some unclear call or dubious goalie interference call. The league needs to emphasize clarity for the sake of integrity in the sport.
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