The Anaheim Ducks scored a controversial overtime goal against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 on Sunday. Now, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman is calling out the officials over how the play was ruled on the ice.
The Oilers now trail the series 3–1 after Sunday’s game went to overtime to decide a winner. Then, at 2:29 into overtime, Ryan Poehling scored the game-winning goal. As the play unfolded, the puck slipped between the legs of Tristan Jarry. However, the key question was whether it completely crossed the goal line. Following a brief discussion, the officials ruled it a goal on the ice.
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Anaheim Ducks overtime goal
The play was then reviewed on video, but no angle clearly showed the puck fully crossing the line. Still, the situation room upheld the call, giving the Ducks a 4–3 win and a 3–1 series lead. Anaheim can now close out the series in Game 5 on Tuesday. After the game, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch questioned the decision.
“I can’t see it going in. I can’t see the line — you can’t see any space between the puck and the line,” he told reporters.
Elliotte Friedman’s take
And he wasn’t alone. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman also voiced strong concerns during the broadcast, questioning how the officials determined it was a good goal.
“Because it was ruled a good goal on the ice, they have to be able to completely overturn it, or have conclusive evidence to do so. There’s nothing conclusively showing the call on the ice is wrong. They don’t have a clear view that shows the puck over the line,” Friedman said.
“The issue I have is I don’t understand how you can say that puck completely crossed the goal line. There’s no official behind the net. The call on the ice is a goal — that, to me, is the issue. Without someone in position behind the net, I don’t know how you can be certain that’s a good goal.”
You can watch the situation below.
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