Goal or No Goal

And now it’s time to play Goal or No Goal.

It is a very simple game. You pick a briefcase, in it is a year, we pick a goal or no goal from that year and you decide what the final call on it was. If you’re right you win, if you’re wrong you lose.

Let’s get started!!

Pick your first case.

*drum roll*

You have picked … 1999.

For this goal or no goal, we go to the Stanley Cup Finals game 6, the Buffalo Sabres at the Dallas Stars. This shot came in the 3^rd overtime period. Brett Hull of the Dallas Stars was the one who took the shot, and before he had the puck, his foot was in the crease. I remind you that in 1999 the NHL, it was illegal to score a goal if an offensive player's skate entered the crease before the puck did. So now it’s your turn, what was the call? Goal or No Goal?

No Goal.

*drum roll*

Oh no, so sorry but it was called a Goal. And it ended the series as Dallas won the Stanley Cup 4 games to Buffalo’s 2.

That’s ok the game goes on.

Pick your next case.

*drum roll*

You have picked … A DOUBLE YEAR CASE!!! 2000 and 2008.

This is a special case, almost the same thing happened in these two situations and they may or may not have been called the same. It’s up to you to decide.

In 2000 NHL Playoffs, 1^st round, Philadelphia Flyers verses the Buffalo Sabres. Its game 2, John Leclair shot the puck through the side of the net, through a hole in the mesh. This was reviewed by the NHL. In a similar event in the 2008 IIHF World Hockey Championships, in a game between the USA and Finland, Finland scored through the side of the net as well. The goal is reviewed and with much better review technology which allows in the reviewers to zoom in on the puck. And now to you, Goal or No Goal?

Both No Goals.

*drum roll*

That is a solid answer … too bad it is not the correct one. Both goals were called goals, even after reviewing them. The Flyers went on to win the game 2-1 and the series 4-1, while Finland started and completed their comeback and beat the Americans 3-2.

One more case. You need to get this one right or its game over buddy.

*drum roll*

And the year is … 2008.

Conference Finals, Battle of the Atlantic and the state of Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh Penguins verses Philadelphia Flyers. Game 2, puck goes off Derian ‘The Slug’ Hatcher and looks like it is going to go in. Until, Marty Biron’s glove covers the puck just as it crosses the line. The goal gets reviewed, but common sense would tell you that the puck crossed the line even though the glove covered it. Remember you need to get this one right, Goal or No Goal?

*Final Jeopardy Music*

Goal.

*drum roll*

Great answer, but I’m sorry…that’s not right. The goal was reviewed and called a No Goal because there wasn’t clear video evidence of the puck crossing the goal line, but the Penguins went on to win the game 4-2 and lead the series 2-0.

It’s game over for you but thanks for playing … Goal or No Goal.

--kp