One call not going the Penguins way certainly wasn't the the reason for the Penguins' 6-2 loss to the Avalanche on Tuesday, but it killed what could have been the start of a turning point in the second period.
The Penguins were down 4-1 when Justin Brazeau appeared to score on a Ryan Shea rebound and make it a two-goal game. Brazeau had made contact with Scott Wedgewood prior to the goal and Wedgewood lost his stick, and Wedgewood immediately threw up his arms looking for a goaltender interference call after Brazeau scored:
The Avalanche elected to challenge after some deliberation, and the goal was overturned. The NHL's official reasoning was the following:
Video review determined Pittsburgh’s Justin Brazeau contacted Scott Wedgewood in the crease and impaired his ability to play his position prior to the goal. The decision was made in accordance with Rule 69.1, which states in part, “Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal.”
I mean, it sure looked like Devon Toews pushed Brazeau into the crease and into Wedgewood there.
Dan Muse, clearly exasperated over the calling of goaltender interference this season after going 0-8 in his own challenges, simply said he disagreed with the league's call on the play.
Brazeau didn't quite get it either.
"I don't really know," Brazeau said of the goal getting waved off. "I was just trying to get position inside. I thought (Wedgewood) made a little bit of contact with me. I didn't think there was much there, to be honest with you."
I asked Brazeau if he felt like he was pushed by Toews, too.
"A little bit," he said. "I felt like he made contact with me. I don't think I would have hit (Wedgewood) if he didn't make contact with me. It's unfortunate."
The Penguins didn't get another goal until late in the third, when Rickard Rakell added one that ended up being meaningless. But had the Avalanche failed that challenge, the Penguins would have had a power play and a two-goal deficit. Still, the players know it isn't an excuse.
"We've got to not let it get to that point that we need something like that to go our way," Brazeau said. "It could have been a big moment, but whatever."
THE ASYLUM
Brazeau: Goaltender interference call 'unfortunate'
One call not going the Penguins way certainly wasn't the the reason for the Penguins' 6-2 loss to the Avalanche on Tuesday, but it killed what could have been the start of a turning point in the second period.
The Penguins were down 4-1 when Justin Brazeau appeared to score on a Ryan Shea rebound and make it a two-goal game. Brazeau had made contact with Scott Wedgewood prior to the goal and Wedgewood lost his stick, and Wedgewood immediately threw up his arms looking for a goaltender interference call after Brazeau scored:
The Avalanche elected to challenge after some deliberation, and the goal was overturned. The NHL's official reasoning was the following:
Video review determined Pittsburgh’s Justin Brazeau contacted Scott Wedgewood in the crease and impaired his ability to play his position prior to the goal. The decision was made in accordance with Rule 69.1, which states in part, “Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal.”
I mean, it sure looked like Devon Toews pushed Brazeau into the crease and into Wedgewood there.
Dan Muse, clearly exasperated over the calling of goaltender interference this season after going 0-8 in his own challenges, simply said he disagreed with the league's call on the play.
Brazeau didn't quite get it either.
"I don't really know," Brazeau said of the goal getting waved off. "I was just trying to get position inside. I thought (Wedgewood) made a little bit of contact with me. I didn't think there was much there, to be honest with you."
I asked Brazeau if he felt like he was pushed by Toews, too.
"A little bit," he said. "I felt like he made contact with me. I don't think I would have hit (Wedgewood) if he didn't make contact with me. It's unfortunate."
The Penguins didn't get another goal until late in the third, when Rickard Rakell added one that ended up being meaningless. But had the Avalanche failed that challenge, the Penguins would have had a power play and a two-goal deficit. Still, the players know it isn't an excuse.
"We've got to not let it get to that point that we need something like that to go our way," Brazeau said. "It could have been a big moment, but whatever."
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits!
We’d love to have you!