Devils Goaltender Called For A Rare Penalty That Hasn't Been Called In 17 Years

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Dawson McKenzie
December 19, 2023 (3:34 PM)

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In a crazy scene during the Devils game on Saturday, Akira Schmid was called for a penalty that hasn't been called in 17 years.

Schmid Called For Rare Penalty That Hasn't Been Called in 17 Years

A crazy play happened on Saturday during the Devils versus Blue Jackets game that saw Devils goaltender Akira Schmid called for a minor penalty, but not for an ordinary reason like playing the puck in the corner or delay of game.

During the play, the Blue Jackets had a delayed penalty call coming, so Schmid made his way to the Devils' bench for the extra attacker. However, during his skate to the bench, an arrant pass escaped the Blue Jackets offensive zone. Wanting to keep the advantage, Schmid stopped the puck from going down the ice.

He was penalized on the play for playing the puck over the redline. The rules state the following:

puck or checks an opponent) when he is beyond the center red line, a minor penalty shall be imposed upon him.

The position of the puck is the determining factor for the application of this rule.

Here is a video of the play that hasn't been called in nearly 17 years.

The Penalty is Rare, But Has Happened Before Between Two Greats

The penalty for goalies playing the puck beyond the redline is rare, for sure, but it has happened famously before. Patrick Roy decided to take a spin beyond the redline once, deking past Wayne Gretzky.

The penalty is mostly funny, though it did cost the Devils a powerplay. It didn't seem to matter, though, as they hammered the Blue Jackets anyway, 6-3.

As seen on Scouting the Refs - "Devils' Schmid Penalized for Playing Puck Past Center"