Going into Tuesday night’s action, sports betting sites had pegged the Buffalo Sabres (2-13-1) as the biggest NHL underdog in years as they flew to California to face the mighty San Jose Sharks (10-1-3).
Well, someone with faith in the Sabres must’ve won big — but they should feel a little guilty about it.
The favoured Sharks had their victory absolutely hijacked by poor refereeing, and a worse check-and-balances system by the NHL.
With San Jose pressing Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller in overtime, Tyler Kennedy hit the post and the rebound came out. Loose puck. Sharks centre Tommy Wingles, who had already tipped-in the game-tying goal, lunged at the puck.
“I knew I poked it,” Wingels told reporters after the game. “I didn’t know where it went.”
It went under Miller’s pad and over the goal line before Tyler Myers kicked it out — and clearly before referee Mike Leggo blew his whistle or even displayed intent to blow it.
“Wow! They blew that call!” exclaimed the TV commentator. “I’m wondering why, in Toronto, that didn’t get looked at and called in?”
Still, Leggo ruled no goal, the Sharks didn’t argue the call, and footage of the controversial play was reportedly never reviewed by replay officials.
The Sabres would, of course, win the game 5-4 in the shootout. It was just the team’s third in 17 attempts this season, and it snapped a four-game losing skid. By hook or by crook, Buffalo has the Sharks’ number; they’ve now defeated San Jose five straight times.
Elliot Friedman reported, via Twitter, that the Sharks broadcast failed to immediately pick up on the blown call right away and the Buffalo broadcast never did (surprise).
But the Sharks broadcast did pick up on it before overtime ended, with about 1:40 still remaining, and this was a game-decider.
While the extra standings point might not mean much for 30th-place Buffalo, it could have playoff implications down the road for the Sharks.
Even though the puck had dropped to restart play, this close call should’ve been reviewed by the league, and San Jose should’ve been awarded the victory.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/statuses/397973470606155776
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— Eric House (@dubhouse13) November 6, 2013
(via Kukla’s Korner)