Colorado Avalanche

Bad ruling, terrible response
March 20, 2017, 3:32 PM ET [40 Comments]
Rick Sadowski
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Did the Avalanche get a bum call Sunday in their 6-3 loss in Chicago? It sure looked that way.

The Avalanche had a 3-1 lead in the third period when the Blackhawks' Richard Panik was carrying the puck across the blue line while Jonathan Toews was a few inches inside. Play continued and Toews eventually scored with 9:43 left.

Avalanche coach Jared Bednar challenged the play, believing the Hawks were offside. After a lengthy review, the goal was allowed to stand.




From the NHL Situation Room: At 10:17 of the third period in the Avalanche/Blackhawks game, Colorado requested a Coach's Challenge to review whether Chicago's Jonathan Toews was off-side prior to his goal.

Review was not conclusive in determining whether Toews tagged up at the instant the puck was on Richard Panik's stick when Chicago entered the attacking zone prior to the goal.

According to Rule 78.7, "If a review is not conclusive and/or there is any doubt whatsoever as to whether the call on the ice was correct, the On-Ice Official(s) will be instructed to confirm their original call."

Seriously?

Chicago went on to score two more goals 17 seconds apart to grab a 4-3 lead on the way to its fifth consecutive win.

"We saw it on the ice, (that's) what we thought, but then the video we saw, the puck's coming in over the line and their guy's carrying it and Toews was short of the line coming out," Bednar told reporters. "We had that view right away, so that's what I saw."

Unfortunately, he also saw the Avalanche have a complete meltdown after the ruling.

"I guess I don't necessarily fully understand it, but it's a tag-up rule," Bednar said. "They were saying (the puck) wasn't on his stick. That is what it is. For me, it's 3-2, nine and a half minutes to go, that gives them a little life.

"It's what we do after that bothers me. That call for me is the least of what bugs me of the way that game finished."

The outcome isn't going to affect the Avalanche's season, but it could have a bearing on who finishes first in the Central Division, Western Conference or even in the race for the Presidents' Trophy for home ice in the playoffs.

"They started rolling," Avalanche defenseman Mark Barberio said of the Hawks. "They started getting momentum, and I think maybe we were sitting back even more. We were just kind of watching them play instead of being a part of the game, and again they've got championship players on that team and they've won some Cups for a reason."

Awful ruling? Yes. Terrible response? Ditto.

It's why the Avalanche are where they are this painful season.