Regarding goaltending in the NHL, Hockey Hall of Famer and New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy was a pioneer and one of the best in the position.
So, regarding the rules about goalie interference, most people would think he’d have the inside track regarding the rule’s definition. However, Roy was visibly upset on Saturday when his coach’s challenge for goalie interference failed.
#Isles Patrick Roy on non-goalie interference call:
“They said it was not enough. He went in by himself. He bumped into our goalie while the puck was coming. And apparently, there’s enough and not enough.”
“First time I ever heard that. I guess I didn’t play enough games.”
— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) November 16, 2024
With a little over three minutes to go in the third period of the Islanders’ game against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena, Kraken defenseman Jamie Oleksiak slapped home the eventual game-winner.
Meanwhile, in the crease, Kraken forward Brandon Tanev made contact with Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin. Yet, when Roy challenged the call, the situation room indicated that there wasn’t “enough” contract for goalie interference to be deemed.
Without further explanation, Roy was left with more questions than answers, explaining to Ethan Sears of the New York Post that there is no clear-cut explanation about what is and isn’t “enough” contact.
Goalie interference penalties are not easily assessed despite the support of video evidence. Even though there are definitions in the rule book, they are often incorrectly applied, leaving fans, players, coaches, and management wondering how the same call can differ on any given day or sometimes in the same game.
Related: Montreal Canadiens In The Hockey Hall Of Fame
Following the 3-2 loss, the Islanders are now 7-7-4 and in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division. Since taking over New York last season, the former Canadiens netminder turned Jack Adam Award winner is 27-19-9 in 55 games.
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