Jets dispute Hellebuyck 'propelled' puck into net in Game 3 - ESPN

DALLAS — Winnipeg Jets coach Scott Arniel believes the game-winning goal should not have counted in their 5-2 loss to the Dallas Stars in Game 3 on Sunday night that put them down 2-1 in their Western Conference playoff series.

«That is no goal,» Arniel said.

It took eight minutes for the on-ice officials and the NHL Situation Room to allow Dallas defenseman Alexander Petrovic's third-period tiebreaking goal, which he directed toward the net with his skate. Referee Graham Skilliter announced that «after video review, the Winnipeg goalie puts the puck into his own net after a kick» and that it was a «good goal.»

Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck had saved the puck directly to Petrovic, who angled it off his skate toward the crease 3:51 into the period. The puck appeared to be headed through the Winnipeg goal crease when Hellebuyck put his stick on the ice, the puck deflecting off the blade and into the net.

The NHL Situation Room signaled to the on-ice officials that it was reviewing the play.

«The Situation Room initiated a video review to further examine if Alexander Petrovic kicked the puck into the Winnipeg net. Video was then used to determine if the puck made contact with Petrovic's stick prior to it entering the net,» the NHL said in a statement. «After looking at all available replays, video review supported the Referee's call on the ice that Connor Hellebuyck propelled the puck into his own net.»

The NHL rulebook defines a distinct kicking motion, for the purposes of video review, as a play in which an attacking player «has deliberately propelled the puck with a kick of his foot or skate and the puck subsequently enters the net.» A player can direct a puck into the net with his skate as long as he doesn't kick