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2000 Playoffs
Philadelphia vs. Buffalo
series
Philadelphia
Flyers
Buffalo
Sabres
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| The full text of a statement released Friday
night by the National Hockey League about a disputed goal in Game 2 of
the Buffalo-Philadelphia first-round series:
Following a goal scored by Philadelphia's John LeClair at 4:53 of the
second period, series supervisor John D'Amico, along with video goal
judge Mike Condon, commenced an immediate review to determine if the
goal was a "good goal."
Two different camera angles were utilized and replayed -- the regular
game-action angle and the overhead camera angle. The first angle showed
that the puck appeared to enter the net between goaltender Dominik
Hasek's pad and the left goal post. The second camera angle (overhead)
showed the puck appeared to enter the net off the left post and go in.
As such, the determination was made by the series supervisor and video
goal judge that this was a good goal. Also, to note, the referees believed
this to be a good goal.
The puck was dropped and play resumed.
Approximately five minutes of playing time elapsed when it was pointed
out to the video goal judge that the ESPN net camera replay showed that
the puck appeared to enter the net on the outside of the left post (through
the mesh). This camera angle is not available to the video replay booth.
The series supervisor then reviewed the overhead angle again and it
became apparent, when supported by the net camera angle, that the puck
had entered the net on the outside of the post.
NHL video replay procedures do not allow for a decision to be reversed
after the ruling has been made and, as such, the goal was allowed to stand.
It should be also noted that the net was checked per NHL procedure --
before the game and following each period. No holes were detected.
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The Buffalo Sabres were wronged again by the NHL's replay system as the Philadelphia Flyers won Game 2 of the playoff series 2-1 on a goal that shouldn't have counted.
John LeClair's booming shot in the second period actually went through the side of the net to the left of goaltender Dominik Hasek tieing the score at 1-1.
Referees didn't see it and the replays available to the video goal judge were inconclusive and it was ruled a "good goal". However, ESPN's goal net cam showed the puck clearly enter the the goal outside of the left post (through the mesh).
"It's embarrassing. That's what it is," Sabres left wing Dixon Ward said. "We can't comment on it because the league has dictated that we're not allowed to. It's frustrating because it was a good hockey game. It has to be marred by something stupid again."
NHL supervisor John D'Amico admitted afterward that the goal shouldn't have counted. The video replay judge, Mike Condon, didn't have access to ESPN's camera and league rules state that video reviews cannot be used after an ensuing faceoff.
"It was a 99-mph, 100-mph shot," Hasek said. "I looked at it right away and blamed myself. I thought maybe I made a mistake.
Last year, in the decisive game of the Stanley Cup Finals against Dallas, the Sabres were burned by the replay rule, which surprisingly was not used on an overtime goal scored by Brett Hull, whose skate was in the crease. That rule since has been modified by the league.
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