Every point counts for the New York Islanders as they remain in the hunt to make the playoffs, but they lost out on a crucial one after a questionable call went against them during Saturday’s game against the St. Louis Blues.
With just over a minute to play in overtime, Thomas Vanek appeared to score the game-winner, but the goal was overturned on review and the Blues eventually went on to win in a shootout.
While on the power play, a puck deflected off of Vanek’s skate before trickling past St. Louis goaltender Jaroslav Halak. It was ruled a good goal on the ice. The war room in Toronto disagreed with the initial call, however, and concluded that Vanek used a distinct kicking motion to sneak the puck past Halak. The puck certainly went off of Vanek’s skate, but it did not appear to be deliberate and he also had Blues winger Alexander Steen pushing his body and his skate from behind.
After the game, Vanek didn’t pull any punches with how he felt about the call.
[tweet https://twitter.com/StapeNewsday/status/427187977337323520 align=’center’]
Check out the controversial call below.
