Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA
Islanders Coach Patrick Roy Blasts NHL Head Office After Major Controversial Call
The Islanders had a goal disallowed yesterday that was the subject of extreme controversy, and Patrick Roy was fuming and blasted the league post-game.
As regulation time ran out and the game remained tied, the New York Islanders thought they had won the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on a game-winning goal.
The celebration was brief, though, as the officials waved off the goal at once. The game was still tied and went into a shootout, where the Islanders lost 4-3.
The disputed moment came with under 10 seconds left to play on the clock when Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri deflected a shot from defenseman Alexander Romanov off Columbus goaltender Elvis Merzlikins.
The moment that the puck crossed the goal line and went into the net, it appeared as if New York had scored the go-ahead goal.
But the play was waived off by referees due to interference on the goaltender, and upon review in the NHL situation room in Toronto, the call stood.
Patrick Roy was absolutely fuming at the league in his post-game interview
"If Toronto is afraid to overturn calls made by their referee, we don't need Toronto," Islanders coach Patrick Roy said. "That's all I want to say."
The questionable play occurred when Palmieri deflected the puck, but prior to that moment, he entered within close proximity to the crease. Merzlikins came out and got bumped by Palmieri, and hence the call of interference.
According to the league's explanation, "Palmieri impaired Merzlikins' ability to play his position in the crease prior to the goal."
Palmieri understandably was enraged.
"He said there was contact initiated in the crease," Palmieri said of a conversation with the referee. "And I guess the goalie needs five minutes to get reset and ready for the shot, and it looked like he couldn't wait to wave it off."
Even after getting a shootout loss point, the Islanders found themselves tied with the New York Rangers in the standings and are one point back of the Montreal Canadiens for the last playoff spot.
The Columbus team falls behind the Islanders by a point in the standings.
| POLL | ||
MARS 25 | 129 ANSWERS Islanders Coach Patrick Roy Blasts NHL Head Office After Major Controversial Call Was this one of the worst calls of the season? | ||
| Yes | 111 | 86 % |
| No | 18 | 14 % |
| List of polls | ||