Slow-motion video is creating more confusion when it comes to goaltender interference reviews, according to Colin Campbell, the NHL’s senior vice-president of hockey operations.
“One thing we have determined is that it’s as clear as mud sometimes,” Campbell said in an interview with Bob McCown and John Shannon on Prime Time Sports Tuesday. “The one thing that all sports are dealing with is that when you put it in super slow-motion, you do see different things.
“I think (with) super-high (definition) and all of these angles, you start to question (things).”
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Inconsistency with goaltender interference reviews has been a hot topic all season and in late March, the league implemented a new process in how those plays are reviewed. Now when a coach challenges a goal for goaltender interference, the Situation Room will consult with the official on the ice before making a decision, taking the final call out of the hands of the referee. The NHL has also added a retired referee to the Situation Room to help with these reviews.
Campbell believes the goaltender interference rule has always been clear, but said managers and the media were asking for the change.
“I think the problem has been that a lot of the managers and people out in the media have asked for some more consistency, and whether it’s right or wrong, the consistency of the call, they wanted the final decision to be made in Toronto,” Campbell said. “We’re getting more used to seeing this and trying to make the call tighter.
“Hopefully when the playoffs roll around we won’t have controversy.”
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Shannon offered the opinion that players should be allowed to make some contact with goalies without worrying about goals being overturned and Campbell agreed.
“You can’t just tell the goalie your never going to be touched,” Campbell said. “I know he’s the most valuable player on your team on most nights… but still there’s got to be the ability to make some degree of contact with the goaltender when you’re trying to score a goal.”
Finally, Shannon asked Campbell if he had any message for coaches and managers before the start of the playoffs.
“Shut up,” he said with a laugh.