NEW YORK (AP) — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman firmly defended Tuesday the controversial decision to allow Anaheim’s overtime goal against Edmonton that secured their Game 4 playoff victory.
“It wasn’t a controversy, it was absolutely the right call,” Bettman stated during a meeting with Associated Press Sports Editors at NHL headquarters in New York City. “Because of the technology that we currently use and the cameras that we have inside the net, you could see it, knew for certain that it would be in and over the line.”
The commissioner’s comments followed Sunday’s extensive video review of Ryan Poehling’s disputed goal, which officials ultimately ruled had crossed the goal line in Anaheim’s 4-3 victory. The Ducks now hold a commanding 3-1 series advantage and could eliminate Edmonton with a win in Tuesday night’s Game 5.
While referees on the ice initially called the goal valid, debate arose over whether replay footage provided sufficient proof that the puck had completely crossed the line at 2:29 of the extra period.
Poehling’s shot from a difficult angle deflected off an Edmonton player’s skate before sliding underneath goaltender Tristan Jarry. The puck appeared to barely slip across the goal line through Jarry’s legs, though the goalie’s skate blade obscured the top portion of the puck from camera view.
Officials reviewing the play concluded there was insufficient evidence to reverse the original goal call.
“I thought I saw some white (between the puck and the goal line) when I was behind the net,” Poehling said. “Then everyone was celebrating. Did it go in? I’m like, ‘I think so?’ But yeah, I thought so right away.”
Edmonton head coach Kris Knoblauch remained skeptical of the decision.
“I can’t see it going in,” Knoblauch said. “I can’t see the line. … The (initial) goal call on the ice was probably about 60 to 90 seconds after (the shot), maybe even more. They huddled when they got to center ice and then they made the (initial) call that it was a good goal. I don’t know. Wasn’t very definitive.”
During Tuesday’s discussion, Bettman revealed that the league is currently evaluating new technological improvements designed to help replay officials make more accurate goal determinations. However, he declined to share specifics about the technology or when it might be implemented.
