Significant Rule Change

After much discussion from various individuals either involved in the game or the regular “joe blow” the NHL has made changes to one specific rule that has been a point of contention for the past few years from anyone watching the games.

The league has made the following change and the following is from the National Hockey League’s Board of Governor.

The change involves changes to Rule 78.7 (ii) Coach’s Challenge – Goaltender Interference!

The changes were recommended by the NHL’s General Managers at their March Meeting and subsequently approved by the NHL/NHLPA Competition Committee.

The updated rule, as written below (with changes underlined), will be implemented for games as of Wednesday, March 28.

(ii) Scoring Plays Involving Potential “Interference on the Goalkeeper”

(c) The standard for overturning the call in the event of a “GOAL” call on the ice is that the NHL Situation Room (which shall include a former referee in the Officiating Department in the decision-making process), after reviewing any and all available replays and consulting with the Referee who made the original call, determines that the goal should have been disallowed due to “Interference on the Goalkeeper,” as described in Rules 69.1, 69.3 and 69.4.

(d) The standard for overturning the call in the event of a “NO GOAL” call on the ice is that the NHL Situation Room (which shall include a former referee in the Officiating Department in the decision-making process), after reviewing any and all available replays and consulting with the Referee who made the original call, determines that the goal on the ice should have been allowed because either: (i) there was no actual contact of any kind initiated by the attacking Player with the goalkeeper; or (ii) the attacking Player was pushed, shoved or fouled by a defending Player causing the attacking Player to come into contact with the goalkeeper; or (iii) the attacking Player’s positioning within the crease did not impair the goalkeeper’s ability to defend his goal and, in fact, had no discernible impact on the play.

Thanks to the NHL for the info